RIP Brian Matthew Hempel

Brian Hempel left us too soon. He passed away in his sleep on April 29th, 2020
Many of us in the community have watched Brian grow up. We could always describe him and his family as kind and loving.
Many of us know John Hempel, Brian’s father and what he has been to our community.  His involvement in CYO basketball and league basketball was legendary. So many of our children benefitted from his tireless effort to create and continue a sports program.  The very humble Coach Hempel would say he built a program for his family.  Brian, found the most comradery in the basketball programs. Brian may have not been the star of the team but he was the heart. He had an intensely live spirit.  The kid that cheered everyone on and defended everyone.
 As Brian grew into his own, one could see his creativity and sense of humor bloom. Boy, was this kid funny!  Everybody has a funny Brian story. He was a lovable soul.
 
At some point, we lose track of the little boy we knew, but if you saw him, he would give you one of those great bear hugs. Brian continued to find his own vibe with people he met, loving a special genre of music. The one thing remains true, he always continued to be a kind-hearted man He found the humor in everything making the worst situation better. Brian loved with his whole heart.
“Brian hugged you all troubles went away”
 “The brightest and the warmest dude in the room”
“Warm, kind heart that would do anything to put a smile on your face”
“Gentle Giant”
“If Brian gave you a nickname, he gave you twenty”
 
As a community, we need to support with love and kindness one of our own. Our Peace, Love and Prayers to his family, John and Ellyn, John Robert, Lyndsey and Thomas
 
We will miss Brian not just because he is gone but because of Who and What he was to his family, friends, community and all that were lucky enough to know him.
 
In these troubling times with so much sadness, I am asking you to reach out to one of our own. We never expect to say good bye like this to our children. We are collecting donations to help the Hempel family offset memorial costs. These funds will go directly to the family. In lieu of flowers and other gestures, we think some financial assistance might help the family most.

Brian Matthew Hempel 12/31/98-4/29/20