We always loved Brian.  He was always happy and part of the group of our sons and their friends. Still miss that big smile.


I'll always remember Brian as a guy that was always ready and willing to do fun things.  The times in Reno, Las Vegas, and the trips to California would not have been the same without him.  

I went through all my photos and stumbled upon the Halloween picture where Brian was the guy from Fear and Loathing.  It's a classic.  Nights like those were some of the bests, and I'm happy I got to share so many of them with him.

We are so saddened to hear of Brian’s passing.  He was such a wonderful young man.  We first met the Bolanowski family when we moved across the street from them in Dyer, IN back in 1987.  Brian would come over and ask if the boys could come out and play.  My favorite memory was when he would come over when he was around 4 years old and he would be wearing his cowboy boots, on the wrong feet.  I would say to him,  “Brian, I think your boots are on the wrong feet” and he would say, “I know”.  I would then ask him, “doesn’t that hurt your feet?” And he would say, “no, I like them like that”.  It always made me laugh!

Our deepest sympathies to Joe, Elaine and Jeff.  We will keep Brian and all of you in our thoughts and prayers.

I’ve attached a picture of the neighborhood gang.  Brian is wearing the black shirt, third from the left, and Jeff is first on the left.

Love,
Dave, Jean, Eric, Jason, and Kevin Nejman

I still vividly remember when I was introduced to this incredibly happy kid from Indiana. He had the biggest smile, and his happiness seemed unflappable. He moved to Henderson, NV and quickly became friends with my brother, Robert Manley Sutherland and the group of friends that Robert hung out with (you know who you are). But as a new kid in a new town prior to the age of cell phones Brian was eager to hang out with his new friends and of course would call our house. One day, early on in their friendship Brian called our house looking for Robert and my Dad answered the phone (Mr. Gary/Gerald/Coach/Dad wasn't always the warmest guy and could come off slightly intimidating at times) the following was their conversation that day. Dad: "Hello?" Brian: "Is Robert home?" Dad: "Nope" (Not really interested in who's calling or relaying a message) Brian: "Uh, okay. I'll try him a little later" Dad: "Bye"... 30 minutes later the phone rings again... Dad: "Hello?" Brian: "Is Robert home?" Dad: "Nope" (there is 100% probability that he was at Aidan O'Connell's) Brian: "Uh okay, I'll try him a little later... 20 minutes later the phone rings... Dad: "Hello?" Brian: "Is Robert home?" Dad: "No, and I don't think that he will be for a long time" Brian: "Uh okay, I'll try him a little later"... 30 minutes later the phone rings... Dad: "Hello?" Brian: "Is Robert home?" Dad: "No. Who is this?" (Brian is watching the History Channel at this time, and Winston Churchill is on the television) Winnie: "Uh, Um, this is Winston" Dad: "Winston huh?" Winnie: "Yes?" Dad: "Okay Winston, well when Robert gets home I'll have him call you" Robert and Brian played hockey together almost from the day that Brian moved to the Vegas Valley, and Coach Gary was their coach the entire time. The next day, or a couple of days later, my Dad and Robert go to pick up Brian for practice and my Dad says to him, "hey Winnie, what's up?" That is one of my all time favorite memories. Rest easy Brian, I'll miss you.

I met Brian a few years ago. He started at a Lexus dealership in Colorado and took over my position. I had the honor of training Brian. We became good friends while working together. Shortly after he had started a few of the guys took a trip up to Jackson Hole WY to snowboard.  I remember it was late driving back and we were heading over Laramie pass it was snowing harder than I had ever seen. Brian was driving.  He and I were laughing because the snow was so bad. It was like something out of a movie. It’s memories like that I will never let go of. Brian was always a stand up guy. He loved his dog, and always talked about his family.  When I heard the news today I was really sad but Brian was a happy person, he didn’t need much. I know he’s looking down at us and that someday I will see him again. 

OBITUARY

Brian Edward Bolanowski

April 2, 1984 – July 24, 2018

Palm Southwest Mortuary

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