Bryan Stein was known and loved in Nashville from age two. At 48 years, he was taken too young, too soon by cancer on July 10, 2022 after fighting valiantly for two years against doctors' initial diagnosis.
He is dearly missed by family and countless friends, especially his beloved wife Danielle, daughter Sophie and son Sawyer, parents Rob and Carol, brother Greg (Jena), sister Lauren (Jeff), nephews Eli and Jake, nieces Anke and Summer, uncles Richard and Gideon, aunts Elissa and Rita, and canine sidekick Maxum.
Born prematurely, Bryan spent his first days under a heat lamp, which may explain his preference later in life for warm weather and beach vacations. His parents impressed upon him at an early age the value of family, work ethic and a good education, as well as the joys of food and travel, all advice he heeded.
Growing up, he was close to his siblings. He and his brother Greg shared a bedroom (Bryan had the tidy side.) and did virtually everything together. Lauren relished her role as Bryan's in-house fashion consultant. Together, the Stein kids rode bikes all over, spending much of their allowance at the comic book store, arcade or movie theater.
Bryan worked hard to maintain supreme mental and physical well-being throughout his life. He was perpetually curious and always looking for ways to improve himself. A new recipe. A fitness challenge. A job benchmark. Bryan made it all look easy – always with a smile on his face – even as cancer made daily life more difficult.
That smile drew many to him, including fellow St. Lawrence University alum Danielle Lafave, whom he met again in Charlotte, NC, where both relocated for their first jobs out of college. It didn't take too many dates for Bryan and Danielle to realize that each was their other. So when Bryan had to move to Austin, TX for another work opportunity, he knew he needed to grab the bull by the horns. On a visit to Danielle's hometown of New Haven, VT, Bryan asked if Danielle would like to make "together" forever – and she did!
Committed to his partner and lifelong maple syrup connection, Bryan married the love of his life in a beautiful ceremony months later, not far from Lake Champlain. Over their years in Austin, Bryan and Danielle perfected their take on brisket, queso and margaritas. It was also there that they gave birth to their finest Texas-inspired concoctions and greatest joys to this day – daughter Sophie and son Sawyer.
To the delight of Bryan's parents and brother who lived in Nashville, the family of four decided to return to town in 2010. Their arrival began inauspiciously, however, as it coincided with the hundred-year flood that swamped the city and surrounding counties. Pretty much every day in Nashville since then has gone more smoothly.
Here, Bryan and Danielle built their nest and have watched their family grow, just minutes away from his parents' and brother's houses. The family joined West End Synagogue, where Bryan became B'Nai Mitzvah and where Sophie and Sawyer celebrated theirs. A product of public school (Percy Priest, Stokes, J.T. Moore, Hillsboro), as well as the adoring husband of an award-winning fourth grade teacher, Bryan beamed with pride at seeing his kids find their way on a familiar path.
Since Thanksgiving Day 2005 when he first became a father, Bryan embraced his charge and spent the sixteen years since then passing down his considerable passions and gifts – among them, a love for cooking, the wonder of the outdoors and the rewards of staying active. Just as Rob and Carol did for him, he encouraged his kids to live life fearlessly with character and conviction. Some might even say his wisdom is the secret ingredient in Sophie's chocolate butterscotch chip cookies and Sawyer's swagger.
Through family and friends, he leaves behind a legacy of people whose lives he touched and who will remember him as they knew him: large-hearted, with a radiant smile.
Bryan's family would like to express profuse gratitude to the many who helped, supported and provided strength throughout his treatment, including the compassionate staff at Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute and St. Thomas Midtown Medical Center, and especially Dr. Tony Meluch for his skilled oncology treatment and the concern he showed directing Bryan’s care.
A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, July 17th, 2pm at West End Synagogue – 3810 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37205. Visitation to follow in the social hall.
Online condolences may be offered at https://www.dignitymemorial.com.
Please visit https://linktr.ee/bryanstein and consider a donation in Bryan's name to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Jimmy Fund, Hillsboro High School Varsity Wrestling, Nashville Humane Association or an organization of your choosing.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.marshalldonnellycombs.com for the Stein family.
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