Brian W. Flaitz – 50 – of Inverness Florida, formerly of Hornell, passed on Sunday, January 15, 2012, at his home after a four-year valiant fight with leukemia. Brian was blessed with many helpful and special doctors, family, neighbors and friends.
Born in Hornell on October 24, 1961, he was the son of the late George and Veronica Dorothy Flaitz. He graduated from Hornell Senior High School in 1980 and later graduated from CCFL in Canandaigua, NY.
Brian’s amazing love for life led him down a diverse path. He was a Parts Manager for Dansville Chrysler Plymouth in Dansville, NY, for 16 years. Brian was a member of the New York Army National Guard and the Merchant Marines and a licensed charter boat captain on Lake Ontario. He and his wife spent two years as professional fishing guides at Yes Bay Lodge in Ketchikan Alaska. Brian earned his commercial driver’s license and traveled the United States with his team driver wife, Mary Christine, for seven years before his illness. He moved to Florida in 2000 from Hornell and resided in Inverness where he was the President of The Moorings Homeowners Association and a member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. He enjoyed taxidermy work and was an avid fisherman. Brian was a member of the Maritime Consortium, Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever. He continued to follow the Buffalo Bills. He loved people, especially his family with whom he kept in constant contact and spent time with often.
Brian was a loving and devoted husband, son, brother, uncle and brother-in-law. Mr. Flaitz is survived by his beloved wife of 23 years, Mary Christine; siblings GeorgeAnn (James) Carter of Warsaw, William Flaitz of Almond, Marylou (Dennis) Kasa of Cranberry Township, PA, Thomas (Monica) Flaitz of Hornell, and Linda Sue (Gary) Recktenwald of Arkport; Mother-in-law JoAnne Hawkins of Hornell; in-laws Kathy (Greg) Rollins of Hornell, David (Mercedes) Stiles of Dallas Texas, Michael (Teasha) Stiles of Hornell, Karen (Daniel) Schu of Arkport, and Richard (Brenda) Hawkins of Mesquite Texas. Brian is also survived by uncles Jacob (Mary) Flaitz and Robert (Donna) Flaitz , aunts Shirley Flaitz and Delores Flaitz, all of Hornell, along with 29 nieces and nephews and 22 grandnieces and nephews, many cousins, friends and neighbors.
In Inverness, FL, calling hours were held and a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church on January 19, 2012.
Here in Hornell, the family of Brian W. Flaitz will receive friends on Saturday from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY where funeral services will be held at the conclusion of calling hours at 6:00 PM with Deacon Robert McCormick officiating. A celebration of Brian’s life will follow at the Arkport American Legion.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Shands Hospital BMT Unit Fund Shands Hospital PO Box 100306 Gainesville Florida 32610-0306 Dept. of Patient & Family Resource or to his wife.
In honor of Brian’s service to his country while serving in US Military, the American Flag will be flown at half-staff at the Dagon Funeral Home.
Tom, Monica and family,
My sincere condolences to you and your entire family on the loss of Brian. May happy memories give you solace as you grieve. If you need anything, please just let me know. God Bless!
Dawn
To Mary – My heart goes out to you for you loss. You will be in my prayers as you and Brian have both been. One of my fondess memories of you and Brian was when Steve and I spent the weekend at Keuka Lake and the guys went fishing. We have been friends a long time and even though we haven’t kept in close touch, you both have always been on my mind. You are in my prayers and may God give you comfort in the coming days. Karen Barker
To Mary,
GeorgeAnn, Bill, Marylou Tom and Linda,
I was so sorry to hear of Brian’s passing and your loss. He was taken long before his time. Although I haven’t kept in touch for many years, I remember when Brian worked in Dansville and years before when I hunted with “Uncle George”. I always thought that he was very brave to venture out to try new things. He will surely be missed by all who knew him.
My thoughts will be with all of you.
Jim
To Mary George Ann,Bill,Mary Lou,Tom, Linda and All of your Families. My heartfelt condolences to all. God be with you. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Sincerely With Love !! Versa Kay
My sincere condolences to the Flaitz family. I haven’t seen Brian in a very long time, but I do remember him in earlier years. He will be sadly missed and my prayers go out the entire family..Love, Sharon
Thinking of you Sister Mary and all the Flaitz Family,
We are all so sad that Uncle Brian has left us, but we will all cherish all the wonderful memories that we had with him being a huge part of our lives. We know he will watch over you and all of us, through the days to come.
Some quick memories:
Trip to Disney
Uncle Brians Taxidermy expertise
Wonderful support at ball games everywhere
Many Many milkshakes from Bryne dairy
Boat rides, and fishing everywhere
These are just a few. Everyone knows all your humor and love through out the past years will be greatly missed. We love you Uncle Brian and Aunt Mary!
Dearest Sister Mary Christine,
Words cannot express our sorrow and the pain we feel for the passing of our wonderful “Brother” Brian. God knows he is not suffering anymore and he will somehow keep you under his guided care through all of your upcoming days and nights.
We want you to know that just the thought of Brian and you brings smiles to all of our faces for all of the fun and wonderful times we have had together.
You are in our thoughts and prayers every minute of every day. Love you so much ….. we are here for you forever. Sis Karen, Mom and all her angels.