Brian Howard Kenthack
August 9, 1961 ~ May 31, 2020
Born in:
Somerville,, NJ
Resided in:
Southern Pines, North Carolina
Brian Howard Kenthack, 58, of Pinehurst and formerly Encinitas, California went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 31, 2020 at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital.
A native of Somerville, New Jersey, he was the son of Howard Kenthack and the late Helen Kenthack. He was predeceased by his adoptive mother Patricia Gerstle and niece Samantha Ahimovic.
Brian was a US Navy Veteran and retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 2013. He spent over 30 years in sunny SoCal, residing in the San Diego area. Brian relocated to Pinehurst in 2018 to help his brother care for their father and to be closer to family. Golfing and quality time with family and close friends were his passions in this world. He knew Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, and drew tremendous strength from his faith every day, frequently offering an ear, kind words, and encouragement to others. He was a “true” and very dear friend to so many, maintaining close ties with long-time friends from NJ and CA. Not surprisingly, he quickly forged many new friendships locally over the last two years. Brian worked at Pinehurst Resort and spent as much time as possible out on the course working hard to improve his already impressive game. He had 5 “aces”, his most recent last year on Course #4. We will all forever remember his favorite gestures, a peace sign or a thumbs-up and always a smile. We will see you again in heaven our dear brother, uncle, cousin and friend!
In addition to his father, he is survived by his brother Todd Kenthack and wife Terese of Southern Pines; two sisters, Sharon Kenthack of Bethesda, Maryland and Beverly Hopf of Flemington, New Jersey; his beloved aunt, Mrs. Lois Marzzacco; three nieces, Sarah and Katelyn Kenthack, and Julie Kloner; two nephews, Jeremy Hopf and Philip Kloner; six cousins and countless close friends who Brian considered family.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Pinelawn Memorial Park on Wednesday, June 10th at 11:00 am.
Memorials may be made to Christ Community Church, 220 Campground Rd, West End, NC 27376.
Services
Graveside Service: June 10, 2020 11:00 am
Pinelawn Memorial Park
1105 Morganton Road
Southern Pines, NC 28387
910.692.6801
https://www.PinelawnMemorial.com
God Bless all his family and friends
Dear Brian,
Way too soon man, way too soon. Thank you for reconnecting with me and wish we could have done more.
You asked me to stay in touch with Bev & I will.
God Bless your family.
I knew Brian for many years and experienced some wonderful times together on the golf course, both of us enjoying the game we were passionate about and one another’s company. I will miss Brian very much and will think of him often while walking down a fairway in pursuit of that little white ball.
God bless you my friend, you were a kind, gentle man with a big heart.
I’ll miss your bright spirit, the pizza’s and great times, we shared, the laughs we hollered, …wish I could have gone golfing with Bri, since my mom, who also just passed , had shared that passion with him. Like the mail , Brian never stopped, and I’m sure, is still smiling down on us, like he always did!
I first met Brian when he moved to Pinehurst as we worked together at Pinehurst Resort. In short time we became close friends at work and played a lot of golf together. Over time Brian became like a brother to me. He was the kind of friend that inspired every aspect of my life, the fun times working together, his humor and his zeal for life, the many moments of joy playing golf with him, his competitive spirit on the course. But mostly his Christian fellowship with me which brought me so much closer to the Lord. I considered Brian one of my very close friends. Rest well bro, I thank God that he brought you into my life. I will cherish our memories together until I see you again.
My condolences go out to Brian’s family. I worked with Brian at Pinehurst, we played golf religiously, shared many beers together and always laughed a lot. When he teed off we called him “boring”because he always hit fairways straight and long. Brian was part of our family and losing him just doesn’t make it! He will be forever in our hearts and our group will toast him after every round.
Brian our family will miss you very much. You were always a kind and gentle soul. I have many happy memories over the years of holidays, parties and visits. May you be at peace with the Lord our Father. ❤️🙏
Speaking for all your SoCal buddies,we will miss you dearly.You were a very kind and special man and you left us way to early.
RIP Brian. I enjoyed my time playing golf with you and seeing your smiling face on the driving range. The Heavens above are glowing!
Brian and I grew up one house over from one another on Whiton rd it was a good place to grow up.brians front yard was great for flag football stick ball baseball but not golf that was the backyard we would see who could hit the ball farthest into the field behind the house he always won one time he decided to hit the ball back towards the house bad idea put it right threw the sliding glass door not sure what he told his dad . I will miss you old friend
I will always remember the phone conversations with my cousin Brian. We always said I love you to one another and God Bless You.
Brian made me to be a better person and after talking with him, I felt like a different person. Brian always had a kind word and was a devout Christian.
My family and I will miss Brian very much
Debbie, Grady and Kelly Lamb
We love you Brian. You are the sweetest truest man ever!! God, thank you for taking our brother home, your timing is always perfect. We should rejoice in your plan for Brian.
I met Brian a couple of years ago when he came to work at the Pinehurst Resort. I happened to be working on Brian’s first day at the range. Brian and I soon became friends. I always enjoyed working with Brian. His easy going manner and great sense of humor made him a pleasure to work with. Naturally, Brian and I played a good bit of golf together. Brian always carried his birdie flask and always enjoyed a cold beer after a round. Sadly, Brian was taken from us way too soon. Brian should have had many good years ahead of him. I am so sorry that you are gone. You will be missed by all of your golf buddies. We will always have a cold beer for you after every round.
Brian had a kind heart with a gentle spirit and was always a pleasure to be around. We admired his sense of commitment when he decided to move back to North Carolina to be with and help his family. That showed the quality of his character.
Thank you, Brian, for your friendship, we tremendously enjoyed it over the years. Brian had a unique way of making things fun. At the annual Super Bowl Party, he put together and managed “the squares.” Outside of the group of friends being together, “Brian’s squares” were often more entertaining than the game. Brian was a great guy and there are many things we will miss about him.
We pray that peace fills the hearts of your family and that God’s light shines upon you for eternity.
I had the honor, privilege and pleasure to meet Brian about 2 years ago through a mutual friend. It was on the old 14th hole of Pinehurst #3. He drove out after working on the range. He was good luck for me from the get go, as I made about a 15 footer for a par 3. He was happier for me than I was for myself. I had more fun spending time with him than anyone in my life. His sense of humor made me laugh harder than at anytime in my life. No matter how down or bad a day I was having, I immediately felt happy the moment I saw him. We loved playing golf and drinking beer together, laughing and joking for the entire round. He was a terrific golfer, and I was so thrilled for him when he made his 5th hole in one on 14th hole of course 4. He helped me so much working at Pinehurst, always dropping by with a smile, an encouraging word or a comment that made me burst out in laughter. Brian is a Divine soul, who I knew was a kindhearted Christian from the sparkle in his eyes and the way he helped others. I thought he would be with us for a long time to come, but our Lord has called him home. I’ll never get over it, but I have faith that we will meet again one day. One of the last times I saw Brian was in the Walmart parking lot. I gave him a big hug and told him I loved him, not knowing he would leave this world a few months later. He carried the Greatest Love, helped so many, and made me and so many others happy. This is as well as any life can be lived, bravo, bravo, and thank you my friend for helping me in ways that I can never repay you. I’ll never forget you, and your Divine Spirit will always be with me. You left us too soon, but the Lord blessed us with the wonderful times we had together. I have so many things I want to tell you, when we meet again. And I have faith that we will.
Thank you for sharing these precious photographs with us here. We can see Brian lived a life full of family and love. So glad to see he has always had that twinkle in his eye and sad to know that the world is less without him. May the Comforter be with you all today, and as you live a life worthy of the calling of our Lord. May Brian rest in peace and everlasting life with His Savior in Heaven.
Rest in peace, sweet Brian, and know that you were Loved by so many.
Thank you for being a part of our lives as a dear friend, and family member. And, for all the dinners, toasts, laughs, holidays, and good times on the golf course together!
We love you, and miss you,
Deni & Jim