BRIAN JAMES KADUNC

BRIAN JAMES KADUNC, age 38

Brian Kadunc was a patriot, he loved his country. Brian loved Ohio and his adopted state - The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Brian went to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 12, 2015. He passed away peacefully in the arms of his parents, James and Catherine, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina after suffering complications from a heart attack.

Brian was born in Warren, Ohio on March 29, 1977 and grew up in Parkman Township, Ohio. He attended Notre Dame Elementary School (Chardon) and graduated from Gilmour Academy (Gates Mills) in 1995. Brian attended Villanova University near Philadelphia and upon graduating began his career in politics. He worked on a US congressional campaign and moved on to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. In 2007, Brian was named Head of Legislative Efforts for the Honorable Mike Vereb, Representative of the 150th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania State House. Brian was instrumental in assisting Rep Vereb in writing, introducing and eventually passing mandated training for youth athletic coaches and assistants on Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). The bill was passed with assistance from Simon's Fund, an organization offering free heart screenings to children and young adults. Pennsylvania's SCA legislation was the first in the nation and is now used as a model nationally to educate and train youth athletics' coaches and assistants on the signs of youth heart problems.

Brian is survived by his loving parents James and Catherine (nee Young) of Chagrin Falls, his sister Melinda Sgariglia (husband Keith) of Chicago and their three boys. He is also survived by his uncle Edward and aunt Helena Kadunc of Tallahassee. Brian has aunts, uncles and cousins in Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Ohio and Texas. He will be missed by his many friends stretching from Northeast Ohio to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and down the East coast from New York City to Washington DC.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Edward and Kathleen Kadunc and Alfred and Marciel Young.

Brian was a friend to many with empathy in his heart for the hurt or heartbreak of others. He would help a friend no matter the problem and no matter the cost in time or trouble. His friends have said of him, "He was a warrior," or "he was my best friend," and "I don't know what we'll do without him." He was truly an angel of God.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be at 12 pm Saturday, October 3 at Holy Angels Church, 18205 Chillicothe Road, Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44023, and friends may call from 11 am until beginning of mass.

A day to celebrate Brian's life will also be held in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on October 6 at the State House.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Brian's honor to: Simon's Fund at www.simonsfund.org.

God speed Brian, until we meet again.