On April 11, 2018 Brian Gilbreth drifted into heaven peacefully, at home, surrounded by his best buddies – Leo, his dog/pride & joy, and Marbles (aka Kitty), his cat. Brian was born in Vallejo, Ca on August 16, 1971 to Rex and Patty Gilbreth. He attended Dan Mini Elementary School until moving with his family to Napa, Ca in 1980 where he then attended Bel Aire Elementary School, Redwood Middle School and Vintage High School.
He went on to graduate from California State University Chico in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical Education/Exercise Physiology. After college, Brian worked in several capacities related to his studies including personal training, gym work and eventually starting up his own business, Fitness Physicians – Exercise Equipment Repair. Growing up Brian had many jobs including a few in the restaurant business – he got his start at a young age working at Molly’s, in the old Bel Aire Plaza, then later at Compadres (Yountville) and also managed Chronic Taco (Chico) before moving back to Napa in 2009.
Although Brian was always an inventor and entrepreneur at heart, he was ready to work on building his future. Knowing his spirit was much to free to be still in an office, behind a desk and that he needed to be moving, preferably outside, he went to work at Silverado Resort and Country Club in the Maintenance department. We all know down deep though he was really there for the golf perks and maybe to be a little closer to his best friend Augie who had worked there for years before passing away which had left a hole in Brian’s heart.
Either way – he recently became a homeowner and had checked many boxes off on his life to-do list. Goals were reached and more were on the horizon. He was in a great place – at the top of his game in life and golf.
Brian is gone way too young, too soon and we will never be the same without him. He lit up the place with his big smile, infectious laugh and fun antics. His smile was sweet and mischievous at the same time, and his heart was so big you could see it in his kind brown eyes.
He was thoughtful, fun – a big kid. His mannerisms and sayings are forever ingrained in those close to him. He loved mountain biking, golfing, fishing and most of all being with his dog Leo and going on their daily walks along Crusher Creek.
He loved his family and friends with all his heart. Family birthdays and holidays will have less sparkle from here on out. We will miss his weekend morning donut deliveries in pink boxes, the lemons and oranges, the standing weekly breakfast and lunch dates, shared dog and cat videos, his stories, love, light and laugh.
He would strike up a conversation with a stranger as if they were a friend and never passed up the chance to pet a passing dog or cat, always asking if it was ok first of course. He wanted to make everyone feel comfortable and acknowledged. Recently he took some things downtown to pass on to the people staying at the shelter and then went back home to gather lemons and oranges from his trees to bring over too.
Brian had character, heart and kindness and as his long time neighbor and friend put it so perfectly, “Brian was one of the good ones”. Brian joins his parents Rex & Patty, his grandparents and his golfing & fishing partner and best friend Jason “Augie” Augustine. Brian watches over his big sister Michelle (Gilbreth) Mecchi, brother (in-law) Jason Mecchi, nephew Tyler Mecchi, nieces Reese Mecchi and Layne Mecchi, Gina Medeiros-Nelson, uncle Eddie Samansky, uncle Terry Samansky, Patty Blum, uncle Michael Samansky, aunt Rochelle Samansky, cousins, Janelle and Collin Samansky, uncle Chris Gilbreth, aunt Charleen Gilbreth, cousins, Carrie (Gilbreth) Pittman, Christie (Gilbreth) Eddy, Chris Thomas Gilbreth, many more wonderful friends & family too many to count and of course Leo & Kitty too.
There will be a graveside service on Friday, April 27th at 10:00 am – Tulocay Cemetery (no reception following service) and a Celebration of Brian on Saturday, April 28th at 4:00 • Residence at 3288 Vichy Avenue, Napa. Please come with stories. (Donations are not necessary but can be made to your favorite animal rescue if you’d like.
) Words of sympathy may be sent to the family online at www. tulocaycemetery.org.
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