I knew Bryan back from when I was in college almost a decade ago. I met him through a mutual friend Dan - the same one mentioned in another memory on this webpage - when I was introduced to the world of gymnastics and martial arts tricking through Friday night open gym at a place called Freestate Athletics over in White Marsh.  Bryan was one of the trainers that worked there with the kids, and also a reasonably accomplished athlete in his own right to serve as a good example for those kids, and for us.  We would also travel up to York, PA to another gymnastics gym that hosted open gym nights on Friday, and years later I recall seeing him getting work in at Alternate Routes, a parkour gym also located in White Marsh, or maybe we felt like training during the week and found a nice field of grass outside somewhere to meet up. No matter where we dug in to do work those sessions were all about pushing ourselves to break boundaries as our bodies literally soared through the air (and sometimes crashed to the ground haha), and there was nothing I looked forward to more in college than open gym night with the boys. I still keep up with that training to this day, and a lot of my friends have told me I'm one of the most athletic people they know, a compliment I take very much to heart. I bring that up because it's people like Bryan that put me on that path and helped give me that purpose of building strength of body and mind, and then of character as a consequence. 

I last saw him at random on New Years Eve 2013, when I stumbled upon him and other mutual friends at dinner at the Baltimore Inner Harbor. He looked happy, well-dressed, said he was starting out as a financial adviser; life seemed to be going very well for him. I wish I'd kept up him through the years since, and it hurts that he's gone. The fact that someone I hadn't seen or talked to in almost five years has affected me so much with his death proves how much he impacted my life.

RIP

Chuck and family,
Being a part of your work family for so many years our talks, our joking around makes our family life some times part of our work life. Knowing your love for your family, hearing the lost of your son and brother is devastating and I wish I could find words of comfort for your broken hearts. I will keep Bryan, you and your family in my prayers.
Jim Truszkowski

Bryan was an amazing friend to me and my husband, Daniel Martin. They met back during their martial arts days and trained at the same dojo. When I was first introduced to Bryan, he was extremely welcoming and warm. The more I got to know him, I realized he was unlike any other person I’ve ever met. 

He was so purely himself and wore it with pride. He wasn’t afraid of barriers or what other people thought about him. He lived spontaneously and fully. There is so much I learned from Bryan. He taught me to never be afraid to say how I think or feel, whether it’s good or bad. He taught me to live fearlessly without any restrictions of the social norms. He reinforced the saying of “if you fail, try and try again”. 

When my husband (then fiancé) was shopping for my engagement ring, he invited Bryan along as well as Bryan’s then-girlfriend and still our current friend. They contributed to the final say of the ring that I’ll be wearing for the rest of my life and I can’t be anymore lucky that Bryan was apart of it. I can always look at it and remember that he was apart of the history behind it. 

My deepest condolences to his family. He never hesitated to tell anyone how absolutely  incredible his family was. If there was one thing he could go on and on about, it was the love for his sisters and his desire to protect them through all the years and how he aspired to have a love like his parent’s. 

Chuck, I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.Dave 

Over the last 4 years, Bryan has provided me with so many memorable moments it is hard to pick just one. As I am sure those who love him know, he had a huge heart and a unique personality. He could make me laugh and smile even when he was driving me nuts. His smile was infectious you couldn’t help but smile back. He expressed to me often his love for his family. I was so sad to hear of his passing. Praying for his family and friends during this most difficult time.

OBITUARY

Bryan James Kennedy

8 May, 1991 – 20 June, 2018

Schimunek Funeral Home

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