Brian Grabowski

1968 - 2018

Brian Grabowski

Tulare - Brian Edward Grabowski was born on October 16, 1968, to the legendary Leonard (Len) Grabowski, who taught Brian the essence of being a real man: honesty, respect, hard-work, patience, and being wildly protective of the people he loved. Brian's biological mother, Teresa Eldringhoff-Grabowski, died when Brian was only nine years old. She provided Brian with a deep spiritual foundation which instilled in him a strong moral compass. After losing his wife at a young age, Len married Linda Niggli, also known as "Mom" to Brian. Linda taught Brian to open every inch of his enormous heart and to love wholly, deeply, compassionately, and honestly; this was a gift that he subsequently shared with everyone he met. Being raised in a home with nine brothers and sisters, Brian also learned to be resilient and adaptable. At age 12, Brian was building a ramp with the neighborhood kids when a piece of metal was caught into his left eye. He lost that eye. But even with such challenges at age 12, Brian made no excuses for himself. He went on to master everything he touched.

Throughout Brian's life, he held many titles. He was as a ski instructor in Tahoe, so he was a master skier. He was a bartender at Bass Lake, so he could mix an impressive cocktail and hold a deep conversation. He worked as a truck driver for Producer's Milk; he could drive anything. He owned a lawn maintenance company. Brian also worked as a water well driller in Coarsegold, California and an oil well driller in Bakersfield, California. He also became a pilot. Then, Brian finally found his deepest passion for helping others by becoming a Certified Ocularist. During the 20 years he founded and ran Grabowski and Associates, he grew the company from one office in Sacramento to eight offices across Northern California. He was passionate about his profession because he helped people regain their dignity and comfort, making prosthetic eyes. The people he served trusted him wholeheartedly because they knew that their eye maker was just like them, that he, too, had suffered a similar loss. He considered every patient a member of his extended family.

Brian's work allowed him to travel extensively and collect even more family along the way. In 2010, he traveled with his friend Tabby, who became his wife, to Nicaragua on a scuba diving trip. After hanging out for one night, Brian and Tabby found that they loved Nicaraguan Rum and laughing. After a week together, they planned their future. On the plane ride back to the United States from Central America, they agreed to purchase a sailboat together and learn how to sail. They spent the next five years sailing around Southern California, where they focused on diving, fishing, and loving each other. They were married by Brian's "brother," Rick Allison, and honeymooned on the sailboat in August of 2014.

Brian collected many more extended family members who also enjoyed his deep sense of adventure. On Harley-Davidson rides to almost every state, he traveled with "brothers" Tim Burnett, Darrell Green, Jr., Chad Schnabel, and many more. Memories of their escapades provided great stories and jokes for every gathering. Dirt bike riding was another passion that extended his immense family. Through dirt bike riding, Brian met Chase Quinn, and "adopted" him as his surrogate nephew. Chase and "Uncle Brian" amassed memories throughout Chases' childhood that most people couldn't collect in a lifetime. When Chase became a man, he moved two doors down from "Uncle Brian." Indeed, they were so close that Brian officiated at Chase's marriage to his beautiful wife, Korbin.

Brian had many dear friends, but few were as special as Darrell, Chad, and Steve. Darrell Green, Jr., Brian's best friend since kindergarten, were each other's rock. Although they didn't have to speak on a daily basis, the love and connection between the two men was bottomless. They carried each other's burdens and victories as their own. In Brian's younger days, Chad Schnable and Brian were inseparable, and their names were always mentioned in tandem. Additionally, Steve Shahan, Brian's adopted "Grandfather," was his mentor. Steve and Brian spent hours examining the best route to take on a razor route, and they schemed the best way to run a business. It's true that Darrell, Steve, Chad, and Brian shared memories that could easily be written into a best-selling Netflix series.

Brian will be remembered for his ability to quietly contribute value to any conversation. He is survived by his wife, Tabby Grabowski, his canine sons Henry and George Grabowski, his mom Linda Grabowski, and his eight brothers and sisters: Tom Niggli, Elizabeth Licursi, Mark Grabowski, Peggy Oaks, Robert Grabowski, Carol Gregory, Julie Boyer, and Annette Grabowski. He is preceded in death by his brother Ron Niggli. He is also survived by his stepdaughter, Lacey Kerr, his son-in law, John Kerr, and his two adored granddaughters, Katherine and Amelia Kerr, who lovingly called him Briney. He leaves behind 28 nieces and nephews, 12 great nieces and nephews, and thousands of people who called him Friend.

Visitation will be Wednesday, September 12, 2018 from 4:00PM to 7:00 PM at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel.

A Mass will be celebrated Thursday, September 13, 2018 at 10:30 AM at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Tulare. Burial will follow at the Tulare Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please see requests on Brian's Tribute Page at www.salseranddillard.com