Eulogy for Brian Vanderputt

Good morning, everyone.

My name is Sanjay Devadoss, Brian was my uncle.

It is difficult to know exactly what to say at a moment like this, because how do you sum up a person’s life in just a few minutes? Especially someone like Brian, who touched the lives of so many people and who collected so many friendships, experiences and stories along the way.

Brian was born in India and in his twenties was contacted by his sister to come to the United States. Him and his brother Warren then came to the United States and lived with us for many years.

Brian worked in hospitality. But for Brian, his work was never just a job. It was a huge part of his life and, in many ways, it was where he felt most at home.

The people he worked with were not simply colleagues. The people he met were not simply customers or guests. To Brian, people became friends and friends became family.

That tells you a great deal about the kind of man he was.

Brian was incredibly generous. He was the type of person who would give you his last dollar if it meant you would not go without. If someone needed something, he would find a way to help.

"If you were staying in town and there was a show you wanted to see, Brian would somehow manage to find you a ticket, even at the last minute. He wanted people to enjoy themselves. He wanted them to feel looked after. And most importantly, he wanted them to feel welcome. That was just who Brian was—a man who measured his own happiness by the comfort and joy of those around him."

Although he made his life in America, he never lost his connection with his family and friends around the world.

He travelled to Australia many times to spend time with his brothers, his sister and their families, and with the many friends he had there. Those visits meant a great deal to him.

He loved his nieces and nephews, and his grandnieces and grandnephews, enormously.

At 65, it was certainly far too short.

But it was also a life filled with experiences, friendships, laughter and adventures.

Brian did not waste his life.

He lived it.

And perhaps that is one of the greatest things we can learn from him.

None of us knows exactly how much time we are going to have. Brian reminds us that what matters is what we do with that time. To help people. To be generous. To stay connected with family and friends. And sometimes, to get that last-minute ticket and simply go to the show.

I don't think Brian would want us to remember him only with sadness today.

Of course, we will grieve for him. We will miss him. And there will be moments when his absence will be very difficult.

But I think Brian would much rather we celebrate the life that he lived and remember the good times we shared with him.

The stories. The adventures. His generosity. His friendships. And the countless people whose lives were better because Brian was part of them.

So today, while we say goodbye, let us also be grateful.

Grateful that Brian was part of our family.

Grateful for the memories he leaves us.

And grateful that he truly lived his life.

Brian is loved, and certainly will be missed.