February 8
February 8
Happy Birthday Bri.
Brian Edward Kmiec was born Feb 7, 1966, and died Feb. 10, 2011, from complications related to diabetes, just outside of Portland, Ore. He is survived by his brother, Paul; mother, Sandy; father, Rick; aunt, Linda; and his two nieces, Amanda Lynn Kmiec and Amber Rose Kmiec. Brian grew up in Mount Prospect, attending Robert Frost Elementary, Dempster Junior High and Forest View High School. At Forest View Brian played football and graduated in 1984. Brian worked several years in downtown Chicago at the CBOT and CBOE. He enjoyed the action and excitement of the markets. After that Brian traveled the trade show circuit for Sears and then Zenith. He then pursued his love of the outdoors, especially skiing, when he moved West and lived in Colorado and New Mexico. He returned home in 2007 and worked in the suburbs for a year before heading back West in 2008. Brian will always be remembered for his love of music and arts, his insatiable desire for information on current events and trends, and as a loyal and understanding friend.
Brian's memorial service was held on Saturday, March 5, at 4 p.m. at the Grace Gospel Fellowship Church and can be heard by clicking the gallery tab and choosing audio (Brian's Memorial Message). Jim Roach, Brian's best friend delivered the Eulogy; while John Kirkwood officiated for the memorial service.
You can watch his memorial music video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EpYsI9oZXM.
Tributes
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February 7
February 7
I miss you, old friend. Think of you often. Nothing but love, Bri!
February 7, 2023
February 7, 2023
Happy Birthday Bri. Much love brother!
February 7, 2022
February 7, 2022
My Brother Brian, It’s hard to put into words enough about my brother. He was full of energy and free spirited, always wanted to challenge life. Brian taught me about music even though he was over 3 years younger than me. Brian knew his music, it makes sense that I appreciate the love of music because of him.
Brother I miss our pillow fights, our having fun together in the snow. Also my brother would stick up for me when kids picked on me. I have bad hips and legs. My brother was there to protect me..Thanks brother. Miss partying with you.
You were a blast to be with. Your best friend Jim was always there for you. We have great friends. Miss you my Brother, Love you,
Your Brother Paul.❤️❤️
Brother I miss our pillow fights, our having fun together in the snow. Also my brother would stick up for me when kids picked on me. I have bad hips and legs. My brother was there to protect me..Thanks brother. Miss partying with you.
You were a blast to be with. Your best friend Jim was always there for you. We have great friends. Miss you my Brother, Love you,
Your Brother Paul.❤️❤️
February 7, 2022
February 7, 2022
Down in Naples, FL remembering the North Country Cleaning days. The summer of working all day and partying all night on Dania Beach that culminated in the infamous trip to the now defunct Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Resort.
Why not drive the golf cart into town?
Great days indeed. Miss you brother.
Why not drive the golf cart into town?
Great days indeed. Miss you brother.
February 10, 2021
February 10, 2021
Hard to accept ten years has gone by. Boys had a virtual toast on Super Sunday for your 55th birthday that you would have enjoyed (Bob, Gino, Glen, Jimmy, and Tim).
Paul and I are in touch regularly and he misses you very much.
Saw Johnny and Steve in AZ last last year and we shared some fond remembrances.
Never forgotten.
In your honor I was listening to some Crash Test Dummies over the weekend. I know you loved these lines:
If I were David Byrne
I'd go to galleries and not be too concerned
Well I would have a cup of coffee
And I'd find my surroundings quite amusing and
People would ask me which were my favorite paintings
What if the artists ran the TV?
All the ads would be for fine scotch whiskey:
Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, the whole single malt family
The artists of the future
Will make up new things and different nomenclatures
And they'll stand amongst their pictures
And they'll sing and laugh and quote from scriptures and
When they go home they'll dream of brilliant paintings
Paul and I are in touch regularly and he misses you very much.
Saw Johnny and Steve in AZ last last year and we shared some fond remembrances.
Never forgotten.
In your honor I was listening to some Crash Test Dummies over the weekend. I know you loved these lines:
If I were David Byrne
I'd go to galleries and not be too concerned
Well I would have a cup of coffee
And I'd find my surroundings quite amusing and
People would ask me which were my favorite paintings
What if the artists ran the TV?
All the ads would be for fine scotch whiskey:
Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, the whole single malt family
The artists of the future
Will make up new things and different nomenclatures
And they'll stand amongst their pictures
And they'll sing and laugh and quote from scriptures and
When they go home they'll dream of brilliant paintings
February 7, 2020
February 7, 2020
"What's my line? I'm a working man in my prime. Cleanin' windows"
Finally saw Van the Man at Chicago Theatre last year and I know you would have loved it.
Happy Birthday Bri!
Finally saw Van the Man at Chicago Theatre last year and I know you would have loved it.
Happy Birthday Bri!
February 7, 2019
February 7, 2019
Classic Rewind playing deep cuts from your eclectic playlist today. I know it was your work. Thanks for reaching out. Happy Birthday!!!
February 7, 2018
February 7, 2018
We are all thinking of you today, Bri. Not just today but often. I love you and miss you. I'm so grateful for having known you, my friend. Requiescat in pace.
February 7, 2018
February 7, 2018
Happy Birthday Bri. Love you brother! Like your heroes you left early, but will never be forgotten.
February 10, 2016
February 10, 2016
Hard to believe its been five years since Brian passed away. I know he has found peace and we will all see him again. I know I think of him often and it always bring a smile to my face.
February 7, 2015
February 7, 2015
Happy Birthday bro.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EpYsI9oZXM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EpYsI9oZXM
June 6, 2011
June 6, 2011
Brian My Dear Nephew
The Sound of Silence
Never to hear your voice or see your handsome face & look into your mysterious eyes.
You will be sitting on the dock of the bay
The Sound of Silence
Never to hear your voice or see your handsome face & look into your mysterious eyes.
You will be sitting on the dock of the bay
May 31, 2011
May 31, 2011
Brian was a great friend and will be sorely missed. He challenged me to be a better man and I am richer for having known him. God Bless the Kmiec family and all those who are mourning the loss of Brian.
Leave a Tribute
Recent Tributes
February 8
February 8
Happy Birthday Bri.
February 7
February 7
I miss you, old friend. Think of you often. Nothing but love, Bri!
February 7, 2023
February 7, 2023
Happy Birthday Bri. Much love brother!
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Long Ago...
June 13, 2011
I remember meeting Brian at Dempster Jr. High in Mt. Prospect with Jim Roach. As I remember back, Jim and Brian were the best of friends and made such a great team. Jim was more grounded and knew just how to keep Brian (and some of the rest of us) from going too far with some of our “fun”.
What I remember most about Brian was his love of music. He was more than an enthusiastic fan of REO Speedwagon , Rush and AC/DC. Brian was more than your typical Jr. High aged fan. Brian knew and could recite details of the bands he followed. I knew about REO Speedwagon but had no idea about Gary Richrath or the impact of his incredible song writing or guitar playing on REO Speedwagon until I meet Brian. Being around Brian you could not help but catch his enthusiasm about such subjects. Each day on my drive home, I pass the property in Lansing, Michigan that was once the home of REO Speedwagon (the origin of the band’s name was tacking from a real vehicle made in Lansing, MI.) and I always think of Brian.
I also remember Brian as being an athlete most guys were envious of and admired. I don’t remember Brian ever playing a sport that he could not master. To us observers, it looked like it was something that was done with relative ease for Brian and that made the rest of us jealous. It did not matter if it was dodge ball, baseball, football or skiing, Brian made it all look so easy and he always looked cooler than the rest of us too!
There was always a part of me when we were growing up that wanted to be as cool as Brian and be as good in sports as Brian and to be as popular as Brian. I don’t think I knew anyone who did not like Brian or who did not think that Brian was their friend. While I did not keep in contact with Brian after high school, I would here from time to time about his comings and goings and wished I had been around to say hello and share just a moment together.
I know Brian is in a better place and is making friends and enjoying himself and someday I hope I can share a moment and say hello.
10 speed and 12 pack
May 31, 2011
Brian taught me so much about music, movies, friendship and the meaning of life. One of my favorite memories, however, will be one whole summer that we'd get together, grab a 12 pack each and our ten speeds and then search the neighborhood apartment complex's for an invitation to their hot tub. We'd park, sip and talk the philosophy of life, love and rock and roll. A true symposium. R.I.P. Bri, I love you brother.