Remembering a Great Man - Brian Greeley

Arlington lost an incredible person this week with the passing of Brian Greeley.

I cannot believe Brian is gone. He was only 55. Brian Greeley was an absolute life force whose good humor and smile lighted up a room – and whose energy was boundless.

Brian’s fingerprints are all over Arlington. He was a lifelong Arlingonian who spearheaded the town’s Patriots Day Parade (his determination alone kept the parade alive during lean years).

He was on the , a corporator of the , a Realtor at Bowes Pennell & Thompson GMAC Real Estate and an instructor with the Middlesex Sheriff’s Department. Brian also ran countless political campaigns and was a terrific public speaker.

Brian was a tremendous friend. He was also the baby brother of the Greeleys, the big-hearted clan who has done so much for Arlington. And, most importantly, he was a loving husband to Carol and father to Patrick.

During my time as editor of The Arlington Advocate from 1999-2007, Brian was one of my favorite Arlingtonians and someone who I came to consider a friend. He had the gift of storytelling, a talent he shares with his brothers.

We shared many a laugh – usually about the awful state of the New York Mets (my favorite team). One time while I was covering Town Meeting, Brian quietly approached me (yes, Brian could be quiet at times!) and left a 1986 New York Mets World Champions pennant on the table.

That was Brian. Always thinking about others – even shelling out a couple of bucks for a friend to buy a pennant that commemorated the loss of his beloved Boston Red Sox.

Brian faced some health issues over the years, but always bounced back and could be found at yet another Town Day in September smiling, shaking hands and reconnecting with old friends.

I reached out to Brian on his birthday in December, which was only two days after Officer Jack Maguire was shot and killed in Woburn. In classic Brian Greeley fashion, he thanked everyone for their birthday wishes, but also concluded with: “I’m happy to be 55 but my heart and thoughts are with Woburn PD’s Jack Maguire and his family. Pray for them.”

That was the last time Brian posted to Facebook, but it is a perfect way to remember him. Brian was always thinking about others. Always concerned about other people’s pain and wanting to help wherever he could.

The only thing that matched the size of Brian’s laughter and his smile was his heart.

Goodbye friend. You will be missed. 

Visiting hours are on Friday, March 18 from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, March 19 from 9 to 11:15 a.m. at the , 1145 Massachusetts Ave. Funeral Mass is at noon Saturday in , 51 Medford St.

Les Masterson is a regional editor for Patch.com.