Brian Scott Riffey

Brian Scott Riffey– beloved husband, father, brother, friend, veteran– passed away peacefully on May 27th, 2025 in Melville, New York beside his wife at the age of 48.
Born in Bay Shore, New York on December 13th, 1976 to Melvin Blair Riffey and Catherine Romaine (Smith) Riffey. He grew up in Brentwood, New York, alongside his brother, Christopher Blair Riffey. One of his fondest childhood memories was of the time he visited Arizona and the Grand Canyon with his parents and brother. An athlete through and through, Brian was always dedicated to his fitness. As a teen and young adult, he participated in various sports like football, soccer, and basketball. Though he was always a good kid, he was also always up for an adventure. His high school friends note that he typically was not the one making the mischievous plans, but he was ready to have some fun– to a point. He was jokingly referred to as "Security Bob" by his group of friends.
Brian graduated from St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School, class of 1995, and went on to study Criminal Justice at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.
A Technical Sergeant for the 167th Airlift Wing - West Virginia Air National Guard, Brian served loyally and bravely in the United States military for over 25 years. His service led to deployments to Iraq in 2008 and Japan in 2018. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in 2023 for his outstanding service.
Brian was a loving and proud husband to Brigitte M. Nazar-Riffey. The two met as children at St. Anne's Roman Catholic School and reconnected in 2009, later marrying in May of 2019. Brian always compared their reconnection to a Hallmark love story. He loved traveling with Brigitte-Mexico being one of their favorite places to relax on the beach. He was a wonderful and devoted father to Logan Riffey, Aiden Riffey and his bonus son, G'ianni Nazar. One of his favorite memories was taking his sons to a Yankees game in the Bronx.
He enjoyed the simple pleasures in life and never took things too seriously. Long walks in Heckscher State Park with Brigitte, trying new restaurants, going to concerts, visiting cigar lounges, wineries, and breweries were among his favorite pastimes. At family events, Brian loved playing bartender and was always eager to learn how to make his loved ones' favorite drinks. Brian was an animal lover, history buff, avid reader, and someone who never turned down a Dunkin coffee or a slice of pizza, or "Za" as he would call it. A fan of New York sports, he especially loved the Yankees, Jets, and Knicks. He adored binge-watching shows with Brigitte, relaxing on the balcony with a cigar in hand, and living out his motto: "Aqui mando yo".
Brian was the kind of man who cared deeply about those close to him, he's the kind of man to make sure everyone would get home safe from a night out. There was a safety in Brian that words cannot capture. He was "el Jefe". A truly chivalrous man, who would always open his wife's car door, no matter when it was or the destination. Known by many nicknames-B, Red, Riff, B Love, and Brizzy-he was loved for all those versions of himself.
Brian is survived by his wife, Brigitte; his children, Logan, Aiden, and G'ianni; his brother, Christopher (Jacqueline); his uncle John Smith (Dawn); his in-laws, Clemencia Acevedo, Ingrid Acevedo, and Michael Martinez; his nephews and niece, Rob Baker (Casey), John-Tyler Baker (Kaylee), James Baker (Kait), Rusty Ferris, Liam Riffey, Diego Acevedo and Micaela Martinez; his fur niece, Momo; extended family; and countless friends who became family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Catherine Riffey; aunt JoAnn Eslora (Albert).
Through it all, Brian was a man of strength, bravery, and heart. He was taken too soon due to Metastatic Malignant Melanoma, but he leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and honor. He will be remembered for his kindness, his humor, and his unwavering loyalty-to his country, family, and friends.
Nobody did it better than Brian Scott Riffey. May he rest in peace.
Michael J. Grant Funeral Homes of Brentwood, N.Y., is honored to oversee the funeral services for Brian Scott Riffey. We invite family and friends to celebrate his life on Monday, June 9th. Visitation will begin in the evening from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. A Religious Blessing in the evening. Commemoration will continue Tuesday, June 10, final farewells beginning at 8:45 a.m. at the Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will begin at St. Anne's R.C. Church on June 10th at 9:45 a.m. Followed by a procession to Queen of All Saints Cemetery, where Brian will be eternally laid to rest. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Brian, please visit our floral store.