Owen James Brandano

2008 - 2024

June 9, 2008 - April 10, 2024 Owen James Brandano, aged 15, passed away on April 10, 2024, in Valley Village, CA.

Owen Brandano was born on June 9, 2008, in Los Angeles, CA, to Allegra Pollock Brandano and Paul Brandano. He is survived by his twin sister, Amelia Brandano. Owen spent his childhood in Valley Village, where he was known for his big, bright smile and mischievous laugh. He attended Colfax Charter Elementary School, Walter Reed Middle School, and most recently was a sophomore at Chaminade College Prep School. Owen was an intellectual and an explorer of the truths of the universe, consciousness, and all that could be learned from science, mathematics, history and philosophy. He excelled in chemistry and enjoyed going deep on his favorite topics in world history.

Owen was athletic but preferred his skateboard over most organized sports. His street skating skills were advanced and well-honed with hours of consistent practice. Most recently, Owen developed a love of bodybuilding. He was in the gym most days and loved seeing it pay off with better health and a truly remarkable physique.

Owen received a Colfax Elementary School citizenship certificate award for "Being Determined" seven years to the day he was laid to rest. This award could have been given to him in any year of his life, for his resilience through the pandemic, for his grit in wilderness therapy, for his patience through a life-long effort to find his footing in a world he sometimes found hard to fit into comfortably. Most of all, we celebrate and honor Owen for his empathetic heart, and kindness to all he met. Owen was a warrior from the time he was a toddler, and we will always remember him for his strength.

When Owen set his mind to something, he was truly committed. He was relentless in the pursuit of goals, especially in his last years. Owen enjoyed spending time with close friends, listening to music, excelling at video games, skateboarding, basketball, soccer, hiking, road trips, and enjoyed every minute of his many vacations. Owen spent many wonderful years and holidays at Papa Tom's Malibu beach house and Grandma Helene and Papa Joe's estate in Montecito.

Owen loved his twin sister Amelia, and they maintained a lifelong bond of love and mutual respect and protection. Owen looked out for his sister, and she looked out for him. As children, they were constantly playing and laughing together and as teens, they shared friends, movies, game nights, and helped each other navigate each new phase of life. Owen was an excellent and caring brother and will always be remembered for that.

Owen loved his parents. Just weeks ago, he held his mother's hand in the car on the way to school and told her he loved her so much with tears in his eyes. He was a boy who felt things deeply and made sure he shared his love when he felt it. He loved spending time with his dad, who will always remember their last conversation over a homemade steak dinner. They had developed an uncommon bond as they helped each other through a challenging year and in doing so, developed a father/son bond that can only be aspirational for most in the teen years. Owen was proud of his dad and his dad will always be so proud of him.

Owen is survived by his parents, Allegra Pollock Brandano and Paul Brandano, his twin sister, Amelia Brandano, uncle Peter Brandano, aunt Dayna (Brandano) Ellis, uncle Alan Ellis, aunt Laura (Mazor) Brandano, uncle Luke Pollock, aunt Ali Pollock Gagerman, uncle Ryan Gagerman, grandmother Peggy Pollock, and many beloved cousins including Haley and Benjamin Gagerman, Lillian, Paige and Audrey Brandano and Marc Ellis. Owen is also survived by life-long best friends Yuri, Emma, Noa, Laura and Michael Steuer. He is predeceased by his beloved Nana Joyce Foley Brandano, beloved Nonno Peter Brandano Jr., beloved grandfather Thomas Pollock, and beloved great-grandparents Helene and Joseph Pollock.

A private funeral service was held on April 24, 2024, at the Santa Barbara Cemetery. A celebration of Owen's life will take place on Sunday, June 9th, 2024. In lieu of flowers, donations in Owen's honor can be made to the Owen Brandano Memorial Scholarship ( https://www.chaminade.org/owen-brandano-memorial-scholarship)

Owen's family would like to thank all of Owen's family and friends for their love and support in his loss. Owen was so lucky to be raised by a village of people who loved him dearly and who will remember him well. Although his time was short on this earth, he will always be with all of us and should be thought of for inspiration in times when extra effort is required to thrive.