Brian from the fort has passed away

[mrsgus06]

The service for Brian was beautiful. His dad told stories of Brians childhood and then Brians children said a few words. Services had to be moved from the chapel to the sanctuary because there was not enough seating in the chapel. Lots of nice words said about a nice guy and I will miss him. The family also acknowledged the stories about Brian that had been written in the online guest book by people that knew him from camping at the fort. Next years summer visit will not be the same without his smiling face and a dog biscuit for Bella.

 

[stacktester]

I was thinking about the comments about how Brian would stop and talk to everybody. How did he ever get any work done lol. I kinda figured they'd have to use a bigger area. I wish I could've made it down.

 

[itch1]

VERY VERY VERY SAD NEWS
Over the years he had helped our crew out in many ways putting extra ice in our coolers while we were gone, bringing us a vacuum to use, he once brought us a leaf blower to blow up our air matress and later that same trip to blow out and off our tent when we put it away. He was what the Fort used to be about plain and simple. What a great guy I hope God has made a very comfortable seat for him up in heaven directly above Fort Wilderness.
ITCH

 

[itch1]

Ife had only met Brian twice and she wanted to add that he brought us the twins porta cribs on their first return trip, he even told us to keep the Mickey themed sheets he brought!!!! What a great guy!!!

 

[DebbieT11]

How very sad that such a wonderful part of the Fort is now gone - you'll be missed!! RIP and condolences to the families.....

 

[LORNADUCK]

Some of us Fort Fiends are going to be at the Fort this weekend, we are going to do a sort of memorial for Brian, on the Beach = Sunday before fireworks (I was told they are @ 9pm by the desk) so I am going to say we are going to do it at 8:30PM, We are going to leave flowers and release some ballons in his memory. Please join us in his memory, he will be missed
Lorna -
I am hoping to be in the 1700 loop so if you want to contact me, or pm me.

 

[stacktester]

The memorial for Brian was attended by many people. I know some of his personal friends and knew they would be there but it was also attended by some fort personnel as well as his kids and wife. It was great to meet his family and I think it helped them knowing Brian wasn't just a guy that drove the white truck around the loops. I can't actually claim Brian even knew my name but it was always fun to talk to him. I said a few words in the beginning and Hilda from the 700 loop helped out as well thank the Lord as I was very nervous.

Lornaduck bought a Mickey balloon from W/D and as it was released it would never fly straight up. For some reason the face kept looking straight down as if it was saying ok I watched you guy's one last time, now get off my beach.

Brian's family was very lucky to have him as their father and mentor. Job well done Brian. Everyone tossed a flower in a circle and the people who came talked to Brian's family and told them what he meant to them. I'm sure it was nice for them to know his friends cared for him and that he was important to us too. For those who weren't able to attend, Brian's family was thankful for your support and sympathy.

 

[BradyBz12]

And thanks for sharing this with us, Donnie.

What a beautiful and fitting good bye.

Thanks to all the Fort Fiends that were able to be there to show their appreciation for Brian on behalf of all of us.

Godspeed Brian.

 

[KimIce]

Yes, Thank you Donnie for sharing this with us. It sounds like it was a very nice Memorial. I'm sorry we were not able to be there, but our thoughts and prayers go out to Brian's family. He will be missed at FW, it definately will not be the same.

R.I.P. Brian

 

[auntie]

Thanks for posting about this here Donnie. Appreciate it. While I never had the pleasure of meeting Brian, it certainly sounds as if he touched many lives.
I'm sure this thoughtful gesture meant a great deal to his family.

 

[DaveInTN]

Thank you for sharing that Donnie. It sounds like Brian touched a lot of lives. He will sure be missed.

 

[AuburnJen92]

The memorial for Brian was attended by many people. I know some of his personal friends and knew they would be there but it was also attended by some fort personnel as well as his kids and wife. It was great to meet his family and I think it helped them knowing Brian wasn't just a guy that drove the white truck around the loops. I can't actually claim Brian even knew my name but it was always fun to talk to him. I said a few words in the beginning and Hilda from the 700 loop helped out as well thank the Lord as I was very nervous.

Lornaduck bought a Mickey balloon from W/D and as it was released it would never fly straight up. For some reason the face kept looking straight down as if it was saying ok I watched you guy's one last time, now get off my beach.

Brian's family was very lucky to have him as their father and mentor. Job well done Brian. Everyone tossed a flower in a circle and the people who came talked to Brian's family and told them what he meant to them. I'm sure it was nice for them to know his friends cared for him and that he was important to us too. For those who weren't able to attend, Brian's family was thankful for your support and sympathy.

OK, I have tried to post this three times from my phone and it keeps rebooting on me.

Donnie did an awesome job giving the eulogy and I detected no nervousness at all. (a very stellar job indeed) The family seemed very grateful and Donnie had a lot to do with the planning of this. His family shared some brief thoughts too. I thought the Mickey balloon was kinda weird, but what got me was the sunflower balloon. (both were held at first by Brian's grandson and then let go) The sunflower balloon did not hold the helium as well as old Mickey did, so it just hovered for a while on the beach, like it really didn't want to go. It then quietly went out over the water and then gently laid itself down on the surface. I just couldn't stop staring at it in the darkness.

 

[stacktester]

Thanks for the nice words. I will miss Brian's grin most of all. He was an important part of the fort. His family was just so nice. The boys were quiet which one can expect because I'm sure they're hurting so bad but the girls were happy to know their daddy was well liked and important to others.

I would like to say David and Dan were Brian's very good friends and I know the loss of Brian will never be forgotten but the memories they had with their families will always be remembered.

 

[Minnie&Mickey]

Sounds like a beautiful ceremony. I know the family really appreciated that you did that, Donnie. I only met Brian a few times, but he was always very nice and seemed to enjoy the campers at the Fort. He will really be missed.

 

[doombuqqy]

Wow I love my Fort Fiends. You are such an awesome group of people, it makes me love the fort even more. I know that meant so much to the family to know how much he did for everyone and how much he was admired. Disney lost a great asset.