Brian Lee Cole, 48. Passed on May 1st, 2026 in Superior, Wisconsin. Preceded in death by his grandparents Don Cole, Ki Yung Kim Cole, Robert W. Robbins, Jr. and Marian Robbins. Survived by his mother Linda Cole, father Kirk (Colleen) Robbins; brothers Lee Zahir, Alaric Bishop; sisters Fawn Zahir, Tarina (William) Jameson, Melissa Robbins; and daughters Taylm Cassano (Christina Cassano) and Anastashia Pittman (Maria Pittman). Also numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

            Born in Seattle, Washington on February 4, 1978, Brian lived in various places around the United States while growing up, including California, Connecticut, Delaware, and finally Joliet, Illinois. He participated in numerous sports such as Little League Baseball, Go Joh Ryu Karate, and High School Wrestling. Later he added rugby and playing pool.

He had a talent for art, creating sketches, paintings, and sculptures. Much of his art won prizes in area wide contests, including “Sergeant Boot” [a worn Army boot with eyes and stripes on the side, smoking a cigar between the torn upper shoe and the sole], “Escape” [A Master lock, shattered into numerous overlapping pieces], and an unnamed sketch of an oversized, wing-style armchair licking its chops.

Brian enjoyed tinkering with his bicycle, taking it apart and putting it back together in different ways. He enjoyed mechanical projects, and building things.

He was a natural protector, keeping his siblings mostly safe from harm. His protective umbrella spread over his friends as well, and many of the girls in high school felt safer when he stepped between them and confronted the boys harassing them.

He enjoyed his ROTC class, and after graduating from Joliet West High School Brian joined the Army. His Combat Engineering Unit served in Korea and Kuwait, where he found and disarmed bombs. He later transferred to the Wisconsin National Guard. After an ATV accident which shattered his upper leg and his skull, not to mention the roll bars on the ATV, he recovered well enough to be sent over to the Middle East again with his National Guard Unit.

He returned to Superior, Wisconsin, where he settled and spent his time helping other veterans deal with PTSD and the change back to civilian life. Brian fathered two daughters, and stayed in moderate touch with the families.

Among other jobs, Brian worked at Cirrus, “making small planes for billionaires,” spent a summer as a lumberjack, and worked at “Computers Don’t Bite.” He also worked as a mechanic and amassed a massive tool collection. Mostly he worked for an HVAC company [Heating , Ventilation, Air Conditioning] that served a fairly large area. He even took time to go to Iowa to help a former battle buddy with some construction.

Brian’s helpful nature and pure confidence will be missed by many.

A Celebration of His Life will be scheduled at a later date.