Brian Fenerty, husband, father, son, brother, uncle, friend and teammate, died Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, three months after his 63rd birthday. He spent 42 years in the Gunnison Valley and wanted to fight his final fight in the high country. His battle with stomach cancer was arduous, and yet, his goals for future health remained in focus. He kept his hope and himself alive till the final whistle. His wife and children were beside him, and he was home on a warm morning on the Ides of December.
He shone as a father to Cal (‘94), Anna (‘97), and Tess (‘01). His love of “the beautiful game” is just one of many things that he gifted them, like patience, respect, kindness and the right kind of ornery. He met his wife, Maria on Elk Avenue. Introduced by a mutual friend, they married on a spectacular fall day in a ceremony up Washington Gulch (‘91). His brother, Dennis (Ann Fenerty) and sister Eileen (Patrick “Buddy” Philips) came to visit and support him during this year's beautiful extended fall. Time was well-spent, remembering, laughing and loving each other.
Brian was born in Philadelphia to Gerald and Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Fenerty. He found his longest held passion, soccer in early elementary school. He spoke often of the independence and freedom he found in the beautiful game whose principles he carried into the rest of his life. His love of the game and his teammates served him well through his entire life. His “soccer family” is truly vast. He played with and coached forty years worth of community - all ages, from the early 1980’s until very recently. He participated in co-ed adult tournaments in Las Vegas, Telluride, Aspen and Grand Junction. He and his wife, Maria formed Paradise Futbol Club and worked hard to establish the first high school girls soccer team at Crested Butte Community School. Sharing a pitch without prejudice or complexities was one his proudest legacies.
As the youngest child he had perhaps the loosest reins giving the teachers at Archbishop Ryan hell, but graduating with values and an unique character which remained with him throughout his life. Following a cross-country road trip, he left the east coast in the early 80’s landing in Fraser, CO with friends from California State College, PA. He studied at Western State College, CO for a time, until jumping into seasonal mountain living, with work as a cook, waiter, bartender, bouncer and banquet server. He worked throughout the valley and made life-long friends at The Grand Butte, The Artichoke, Angello’s and The Eldo in the late 80’s. He made many memories during late nights with Leftover Salmon, Taj Mahal, Buddy Guy and many others. He kept an eye on his friends and had to be reminded on occasion to let in the ladies for free.
Construction work took him away from nightlife, as he started a family. He built log homes with John Hatlem and other contractors. Brian and Maria took over Chim Chimney Sweep in 1996 eventually rebranded Hearth & Sol. They were partners in business until closing in 2017. Many recognized him by his soot-stained handshakes and the inevitable good luck that rubbed off. Being self-employed allowed him to travel for soccer, be flexible and available as a father, coach and husband. There isn’t a field in the southwest of the state he hasn’t run on. He impacted so many lives in his work and in his passion for soccer.
He had a warm, gentle heart inside a tough exterior; people who knew him, loved him for this. He spent the last few years of his life, living simply, in the way the old timers did when he arrived; walking Taylor Canyon and Kebler Pass with old dogs at his heels discovering treasures and listening to the shapes in the timber. He started carving shillelaghs, figures and inlays and took to it as naturally as he had a soccer ball; he connected with his ancestors and became the artist we loved. An old friend said that Brian “...must be off to fight another good fight, somewhere different in time and place”. We are forever grateful for him “always being there” for us. He is here in our hearts forever.
A ceremony will be held this spring when the birds return and there is enough real grass to kick a ball. Visit https://lifeofbrian.org to share pictures and stories to continue to remember one of the best.
