Brian Kennell

1972 - 2019

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Brian Kennell, 46, of Columbus, Ohio, passed away Tuesday (Jan. 1, 2019) surrounded by family and friends.

He was born on March 28 1972 in North Hornell, N.Y. Brian spent his early years in Arkport and Canisteo where he attended Canisteo High School until the age of 17. Brian and his family relocated to Helena Montana where he graduated from Capital High School in 1990. He then earned his Associate's degree in Accounting from the University of Montana Helena College.

As Brian adventured into adulthood, he apparently fell in love with moving across the country. He explored opportunities in Detroit, Virginia, back to Helena, Cincinnati, Virginia Beach, Boston, Watertown, N.Y., Columbus, Elmira, N.Y., and finally returned to Columbus in 2013. He spent most of his life helping others, and in doing so earned leadership roles with child support enforcement agencies in Helena, Cincinnati, and Columbus. Brian had an intense love for music and he turned that love into a thriving career where he managed multiple retail music stores in Ohio, Virginia, Massachusetts, and New York. Brian's hard work and determination soon made him indispensable and led to assignments along the east coast where he would turn struggling stores into the top producers in the districts.

Throughout his many moves, his radiant personality and charm brought him countless friends including his lifelong friends Kristan Taylor, Carrie Cassidy-Struble and Greg Reed. Brian always made you feel that with him on your side, you could take on the world. He did everything with love and compassion on a scale like no other. He was fiercely loyal, considerate, kind and had that unwavering ability to be a friend to anyone in need. Brian was always there to lend a shoulder and give his sage advice. He was the life of the party as the fun began with his smile and laughter, and he would always make sure that everyone was included.

Brian had a strong love and bond with his family and made it a priority to travel (big surprise) to see them frequently. Brian thought of his niece and nephews as his own, and always made time to spend with them. Be it in person, over the phone or hours of video chat, Novalee, Clarence, Carter and Matthew received unconditional love and they will remember their Uncle Brian fondly.

He loved many things in life, but especially loved being entertained. Things that brought so much joy to his life were Madonna, Pet Shop Boys, Lucille Ball, Star Wars, Superman, The Wizard of Oz, local eateries, musical theater, his extensive movie collection, various soap operas and the New York Yankees, just like his dad. He attended hundreds of concerts across the country, with Madonna and Pet Shop boys being the most frequented. Whether listening to music at home in his car or at a concert, Brian would always dance as if no one was watching.

Brian was predeceased by his father, Donald Kennell and step-mother Fran Kennell; grandparents, Blanche and Lawrence Eichorn; Charles and Helen Dungan; aunt, Beverly Dungan; uncles, Jimmy and David Dungan; and cousins, Christopher Kennell, Robin Bly, Joshua Khan, Diane Smith Kubiak and Dean Smith.

He is survived by his mother, Kathleen Covert of Missoula, MT, step-father John Covert of Helena, MT; brothers, Adam (Andrea) Covert of Missoula, MT, Stephen (Nicole) Kennell of Greenwood, N.Y., Dana Covert and Jeremy Covert, of Missoula, MT; sister, Beverley (Scott) Turner of Bath; and many loving aunts, uncles and cousins near and far.

The light and love that Brian brought to this world will be dearly missed, but we rest easier knowing that he is now at his loving father's side in Heaven.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Brian's memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association Research Foundation or the Arkport Presbyterian church.

Calling hours will be held at Bishop and Johnson funeral home in Hornell, on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019 from 2 – 4 p.m., with a memorial service to follow.