Brian James Chepya

It is with deep sadness and heartbreak that we share the passing of Brian James Chepya, 30, of New Haven, CT. Brian was an entertainer at heart, a gifted musician and was always proud of maintaining his dapper appearance. He was creative and skilled in many areas, whether it was playing the guitar or piano, acting, singing, writing, and even performing stand-up comedy. He was a true performer, whether he was on stage, with his family, or working as a retail associate; he was jovial and engaging with a contagious laugh and sharp wit. Bri especially loved performing with his late father, writing scripts and lyrics, and spending time with his friends and family. He was always up for a good time—a broadway show, stand-up comedy, a concert, or just grabbing a bite to eat with his mom. Whether the topic was music, sports, philosophy, spirituality, movies, TV, or politics, he always held his own strong opinions in conversations and loved a good, lively argument. To many of his friends, he was known as “Lil’ Bri,” a nickname given to him long before he finally hit a growth spurt after high school and became the tall, lanky, and handsome boy we all knew and loved.

Bri loved his family and friends deeply, especially his mother Sheila Hughes, his sister Emma (Joseph) Voytek, his aunt Maureen Haggans, and cousin Katie (Warner) Rodriguez, and strived to make them proud. He was predeceased by his dear father Peter Chepya, his favorite uncle and godfather Gordie Haggans, and his scottie dog, “Pep-pep.” He is now reunited with them, and at peace.

Ram Dass said, “Death is like taking off a tight shoe,” and for Bri, this is particularly true. His soul is now free of the body and mind that often held him captive. While his family would give anything for Brian to be here with us, we know that he is no longer in mental or physical pain. We ask for your prayers, good energy, love, and kindness, as we go forward and attempt to navigate life without our bright light of a son, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend.

Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) by John Lennon, for Brian

Close your eyes

Have no fear

The monster's gone, he's on the run

And your Mom and Dad are here

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful Boy
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful Boy

Before you go to sleep

Say a little prayer

Every day in every way
It's getting better and better

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful Boy
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful Boy

Out on the ocean sailing away

I can hardly wait

To see you to come of age

But I guess we'll both

Just have to be patient

'Cause it's a long way to go

A hard row to hoe

Yes, it's a long way to go

But in the meantime

Before you cross the street

Take my hand

Life is what happens to you

While you're busy making other plans

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful

Beautiful Boy

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful

Beautiful Boy

Before you go to sleep

Say a little prayer

Every day in every way

It's getting better and better

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful

Beautiful Boy

Darling, darling, darling

Darling Bri

Goodnight Bri

See you in the morning

Right to bed

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