Brian Allen Gold

Brian was gregarious and outgoing. He was a “thrill seeker” and had the license plate to prove it, 3RLSKR. When he was 10 years old, he ruptured his spleen jumping barrels on his bicycle. As a young man, he competed in downhill mountain biking. He went skydiving at 40. One of his favorite things to do was get on his motorcycle and cruise. He gave that up in 2021 after a significant accident.

Brian worked hard and played hard. As a young man he worked in the restaurant industry, the butcher department at the local grocery store, and assisted in rehabbing houses. As a young adult, he sold windows, repaired fiberglass bathtubs (owned Dr. Tubs), installed commercial cabinetry, managed an Antique Market, sold service contracts for forklifts, and designed & installed home Audio/Visual systems (owned Completely Wired). Brian loved his current job as a Territory Account Manager selling forklifts and material handling equipment for Eaheart Industrial Service. He recently told his wife, “I think that something is wrong with me. I WANT to go to work.”

Brian was an incredibly talented wood turner. Mentored by local legend, Myron Curtis, Brian exceled quickly. He developed a reputation as the go-to-guy for historical reproduction pieces such as columns, finials, balusters, etc. as well as other large-scale projects. Brian worked part time at Woodcraft. He taught classes there and enjoyed passing down knowledge shared with him by Myron. He made enduring friendships with his Woodcraft family.

Brian was a self-proclaimed Doctor Doolittle. He COULD talk to the animals. He loved his Golden Retrievers, Goldie and Willow and all the rescued cats that his wife brought home. Over the years, his menagerie included a snake, bearded dragons, a water dragon, and a pygmy hedgehog.

Brian was an unlikely blend of sensitive and strong. He was fiercely loyal to those he cared about. He had a dry, edgy sense of humor that could catch you off guard and (usually) make you laugh hysterically. Brian enjoyed a scotch or dark beer, traveling with his wife, woodworking, learning, and solving engineering problems like an ancient Egyptian. No challenge was too large.

Brian never left home without giving his wife a hug and a kiss, an action that will be forever missed.

Brian is survived by his wife, Michelle Leonard Smith Gold, father, Corey Bernard Gold, mother, Janice McDowell Post (David), sisters, Donna Marie Piantanida, Diane Piantanida Shearin-Miller (Doug), and Debbie Piantanida, uncle, Keith McDowell (Shaio), aunts, Leslie Gold, Adele Weller, and Nancy Bonk. Cousins, Alan and Colin McDowell (Mariah), Justin Bonk (Katy), Deron Siebel, Jeff Caringi, Sherri and Carla Russo, nephews, Nick and AJ Piantanida (Heather), and nieces, Brittany and Kaitlin Shearin, mother-in-law, Karen Armistead Fournier (Yves), father-in-law, Thomas Frederick Smith, brothers-in-law, Jay and Michael Leonard, nephews, Scott and Nolan Leonard, niece, Anna Leonard. Sisters-in-law, Coleman Smith Connor (Aaron), Jennifer Smith Naquin (Rob), Susan Smith Ward (Keith), and nieces, Ashley Williams Hubbard (Ross), Jami Williams, Ella and Emily Ward, Olivia and Ava Grace Naquin and nephew, Jennings Naquin as well as many lifelong friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, May 21, 2023, 11:00 am until 2:00 pm at Pleasure House Brewing, 2032 Pleasure House Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23455.

11:00 –12:00 Tributes & Toast

12:00 -1:00 Lunch

1:00 -2:00 Meet & Mingle

Please honor Brian’s memory by writing or video recording your favorite “Brian Stories.” Copy and paste the link below.

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Please submit your memories by May 1st. Your stories may be shared at the Celebration.

Casual Dress

Cash Bar

Lunch provided

Parking at Pleasure House Brewing is limited. Parking is also available next door at Tidewater Tactical or across the street at Chicks Beach Shopping Center.