In Memory Of Brian

My name is Pastor Mark Sterlace and I lost my brother to a heroin/fentanyl overdose in 2016. Early in life, Brian was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. It was severe and he was always in a lot of pain. While managing his pain, Brian turned to more aggressive and unfortunately destructive addictive solutions. After struggling with addiction for many years, Brian turned towards rehab and recovery. In and out of outpatient and rehab facilities and then finally after two stents in Teen Challenge, Brian seemed to be doing very well. He was engaged to be married with a child on the way. Then it happened! Brian received an insurance settlement and unfortunately, he went and purchased some heroin. In one slip after almost two years being clean, the heroin was laced with fentanyl. Within several minutes, Brian was gone. This awesome man who loved life, loved his family and his fiancé Vicky, a man so looking forward to starting his family was gone. Words cannot describe the pain or the sense of loss. I officiated the funeral in which hundreds of people attended, all sharing the hope to go forward. Vicky is doing well, as well as her 5-year-old son. When she looks at her son, she sees the hope that lives on in him. Brian will always be remembered. May those reading this be comforted with the love of God and the hope we have in Jesus.