with his parents, Carla and Kenneth, and Kevin, older brother. Spending his first two years in
Merritt Island, Florida before moving to Cocoa, where he would grow up, it was immediately
apparent that Brian was an energetic boy who was full of life.
As a child, Brian was spirited and enthusiastic about everything he did, whether it was athletics
of any kind, exploring the outdoors, or especially, fishing. Everyone who spent time with young
Brian was met with a devious sparkle in his eye as he went from one activity to the next,
practically daring the world to try and keep up with his limitless supply of clever pranks and
good-natured energy. As challenging it was for his family to keep up with him, they knew that his
boldness, good humor and love of life would serve him well as he met life's various hurdles.
Brian attended Saturn Elementary and St. Mark's Academy in Cocoa, Florida, where it was
obvious that Brian craved a challenge. Never content to sit still, he presented a bold,
straightforward approach to all of his dealings. An honest, open demeanor and enthusiasm for
difficult tasks manifested in his determination to overcome any obstacle he could find, whether it
was pursuing athletic challenges, climbing the tallest tree around, or playing the best joke
possible on friends and family. His energy was contagious. It was difficult to be in the same
space as young Brian without feeling more alive, as well.
As he grew to adolescence and attended Jefferson Junior High and Merritt Island High School,
Brian explored more of life's possibilities. As a natural athlete, gifted with strength, speed, and
amazing coordination, Brian could master any physical task set before him with grace and ease.
He competed in football, soccer, basketball, and track and field. Even with his talent on public
display under bright lights, Brian always retained his humility, benevolent nature, and sincere
concern for everyone around him. His peers always noted that, no matter how he excelled, he
never descended into arrogance, and always treated people with respect and dignity.
Brian's sincere demeanor, easy sense of humor and bold, outgoing personality held him in good
stead with his peers while in school. Brian always seemed to find himself among the best and
brightest, forging true friendships that would last more than a lifetime. Most notably, while in
high school, he met Stephanie Young, who would later become his loving wife and mother of
their two magnificent children.
After graduating high school, Brian's adventurous nature, broad skill set and gift of athleticism
lead him to follow his father's footsteps in joining the US Navy. As a hospital corpsman, he
received training and experience that was an excellent match to his front-facing personality and
sincere drive to help others in need.
In 2004, Brian and Stephanie where married. However, duty soon called, and Brian received
orders from the Navy to deploy to Iraq almost immediately thereafter. In Iraq, Brian deployed as
a Navy corpsman with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines for what would be later known as the Battle
of Fallujah. During this deployment, Brian continued the Navy tradition of deploying with Marines
ashore as medical support, where he bravely applied his talent and training. It was during this
deployment that he was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in combat.
Brian was welcomed home by family and friends after this deployment. However, the time home
was cut short, and he was deployed to Iraq a second time with Marine Air Group 16, this time
serving on Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) helicopters, using his medical training to assist
those in need as they were flown from remote locations to hospital facilities.
This was to be Brian's final deployment with the Navy, and upon separation from the service, he
continued his pursuit of emergency medical training at Florida Atlantic University, while
simultaneously working at their clinic. Upon completion of the program at FAU, Brian continued
working at the front line of the medical field, working in an emergency room while living in
Boynton Beach, Florida.
In January of 2011, Brian and Stephanie brought their daughter, Brynn, into the world. Brian
immediately became enchanted with his new daughter, and for good reason, as she is a source
of smiles and happiness to everyone who she meets.
Two years later, in January of 2013, Connor was born to Brian and Stephanie. As Connor grew,
it became quickly apparent that he is every bit his father's son, bursting with the same energy
and fullness of life that so defined Brian.
Brynn and Connor were an unending source of joy and fulfillment for Brian, and no father has
ever been more proud of his children.
Just under a year after Connors arrival, Brian became a firefighter with the Jacksonville Fire and
Rescue Department. In this, he found an ideal career. His bravery, sincere motivation to help
others, and team player mindset were the perfect match for the job, and he fit into the role of
firefighter naturally. With JFRD, he continued his life's work of protecting and saving the lives of
countless individuals he had never met. His determination and work ethic brought him the
respect of friends, family and coworkers alike.
In June of 2019, Brian's father passed away unexpectedly. Ken, Brian's father, had always been
his example of what a man should be, and his loss took its toll on Brian, the family, and many
close friends.
Brian's final voyage was intended as a fitting tribute to his father. No more than six weeks after
his father's death, Brian, with his friend and fellow firefighter Justin Walker, departed Port
Canaveral, Florida in the family fishing boat left behind by Ken. Intending to fish the same
waters that he knew from so many family fishing trips, Brian and Justin planned on a short trip to
ensure that the boat was fit to sell, and hopefully catch dinner for the family as a salute to
Brian's father. The trip was intended to be completed by sunset.
When the two did not return by dark, the US Coast Guard was contacted and a massive search
and rescue effort began. In what would become the largest search effort in memory, the
coordinated efforts of the US Coast Guard and Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, in
conjunction with the Navy, Air Force, Customs and Border Protection, every available firefighting
and law enforcement agency in the Southeastern US, and an inspiring number of volunteer
mariners and airmen searched the seas from Florida to North Carolina in a tireless search to
bring Brian and Justin back home.
Tragically, despite the massive, selfless efforts of so many heroes to bring Brian and Justin
home, the search effort was unable to find the two heroic men lost at sea.
Brian McCluney's life was one of bravery, service to others, and above all, love for his family
and friends. The final search effort to save his life, which unified to many thousands of people in
an effort to save two heroes, is a tribute to the unifying love that Brian gave the world as he
moved through life. Although Brian's life was tragically short, his lasting, positive force he gave
to everyone, from close family to complete strangers, was clearly evident in the efforts put forth
to save him and in the unity we keep today and into the future.
Although Brian's loss causes immeasurable sadness, the best tribute we can give him is to
follow his example as we move forward: Bravely meet life's challenges head on, with a smile
and a wink, and with sincere love within you.
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