Honor Coach Pat Bria: Support His Family

The entire Cos Cob community is in mourning after the loss of our cherished coach, Pat Bria. Coach Pat dedicated his life to mentoring thousands of boys and girls as head coach and President of the Cos Cob Crushers youth football league. Since his 20's when he was unexpectedly diagnosed with diabetes, Pat had been fighting the good fight against end stage renal failure. But no matter how many things he did right, his body began to fail him. Disappointment after disappointment kept him from being able to get the kidney transplant he so desperately needed. Despite all of that, Coach fought right up to his final moments, passing away suddenly. He was only 51.

Even as his health failed him, Pat kept coaching, spending 36 years as part of the Crushers and was the heart and soul of the organization. He was truly beloved. Not just because he was an amazing coach, but because he would do anything for anyone. Incredibly giving and fiercely loyal, he was always there for his family, friends, parents and players. As one of his former players, now a young man said while attending his funeral, “Besides my parents and brothers, there was only one other person I wanted to share my successes with and that was Coach Pat.”

We’ll never be able to fill Coach Pat’s shoes, but we are hoping we can help support those left reeling by his loss, his life partner Kelley and her sons Larry, Tony, and Dom. The funds will help pay for Pat's extensive medical bills, expenses left by his sudden loss, and help them be able to keep the home he built for them, allowing them to focus on their grief and honoring his memory.

Even the smallest donation will make a difference and please share Coach Pat's story as he was truly an inspiration to the thousands of lives he touched. Please keep Kelley, Larry, Tony, Dom, and Pat’s family and many, many friends, players, parents, and coaches in your thoughts and prayers. Together we can honor his memory and provide the support the family needs.