This Memorial Website is in honor of our son, Brett Michael Gilman, who tragically and suddenly passed away on May 31, 2005. He was only 35 years old and left behind his beautiful baby boy, Bryce, 3 months old at the time, and his wife, Jennifer. This website is to honor Brett in celebration of his life and to show how much he was loved, cherished, admired and respected. 

I remember only too well the day Brett was born. I was hoping for a girl this time around because we already had a handsome devil of a son, Brian Mark, who was 4 at the time. I wanted to play house for real this time with all the frills and ribbons and colorful goodies one can dress up a baby girl with instead of a Barbie doll!  However, when Brett took his first few breaths of life, I knew then that nothing else mattered except that Brian had a beautiful blue-eyed baby brother whom we decided to name Brett Michael.  How I quickly unwrapped this beautiful bundle of joy to make sure everything was intact.......ten little fingers, ten little toes and the appropriate "family jewels" as he, himself, had labeled them later on when he was about 8 or so.  He was quite a character!

Brett and his brother, Brian, were the typical little boys, always coming home with a new pet, covered with dirt and constantly picking on each other.  Brett adored his brother and would always follow him around wanting to be just like him.  They grew up very close to one another until Brian decided to join the Army and make a career out of it, retiring after 22 years.  He now works at the Boeing Company in Seattle, WA.   Later on, Brett became an Army man himself, but they always stayed in touch and saw each other as often as possible.  Brett loved being an uncle to Brian and Kathi's children, my grandchildren.....Steven, Sean, Samantha and Seth.

Brett loved the outdoors.  Whenever he got the chance, he went to visit his Dad up at Lake Chautauqua for a little R & R.  Brett was always surrounded by love, which also included his Dad's side of the family; his wife, Jackie, his half brothers and sister, Marc, Scott, Wendy and all his nephews and nieces.

Brett had come a long way to become the handsome, bright and intelligent man that he was.  He was in the retail business most of his young life, but finally found his "nitch" and became a licensed Real Estate agent.  Brett loved people and they loved him.  He always had a smile and a wonderful sense of humor especially around his family.  He was also very close to his Grandma Ruth, my mother, and constantly teased her.  I remember for years, Brett would call her up on April Fool's Day and tell her some "gigundous" yarn of a story and she believed every word!  One year, he even convinced her that he won the lottery!  Grandma Ruth worshipped the ground he walked on and could do no wrong no matter what.  He was a beautiful human being and all who knew him were touched by him in so many wonderful ways.............Brett is and will always be in our thoughts and our hearts.  He will always be loved and missed so very much.

With all my love,
Mom

 
P. S.  Although Brett passed away more than two years ago, I only now discovered this website, for which I am so grateful.  Now the world can see what they have missed and may pay homage to him as well.