He walked through the world with laughter in his wake,
A flame in the kitchen, a calm by the lake.
Hands that fed many, stories that drew near,
Turning simple moments into memories and cheer.
The water called to him—he’d answer with glee,
Swimming for hours, wild and free.
He loved Jeep adventures, dirt, and dust,
Riding shotgun with friends he deeply could trust.
Not his own wheels, but always along,
Part of the group where he truly belonged.

He had no bloodline to carry his name,
But built up a family, just all the same.
To all of our kids, “Uncle Demar” was joy without end,
To all of us, he was family—not just a friend.
When I met my husband, I met Demar too—
A package deal, and the best kind of crew.
“He’s part of the marriage,” Phil had said,
And from that day on, that’s how life was led.
A bonus husband, through holidays, trips,
Sharing hotel rooms, jokes, and wisecracking quips.

“Just out driving around,” no destination to find,
Looking for a laugh, a boat, or a friend to unwind.
“Get some!” he’d shout with a chirp of the wheel,
And we’d crack up, knowing his joy was real.
“Are you picking up what I’m putting down?”
He’d drop that line like a king with his crown.

“It’s good, it’s good, it’s good,” he’d always say,
Crushed ice and cold water just made his day.

Some met him in kitchens, some on the trail,
Some by the campfire swapping tall tales.
Some knew him since childhood, some from a brew,
But all of us knew—his heart always rang true.

A chef, a soul, a warm-hearted flame,
The kind you don’t forget once you know his name.
Brian DeMartini—though most called him Demar,
A bright-burning spirit, our north shining star.

A brother to many, a lifter of souls,
He filled in the cracks and he made people whole.
In every warm smile, in each lifted glass,
We feel him around us, though time had to pass.
At 51 years, not nearly enough,
Yet his love left a mark—gentle and tough.
He gave without asking, he showed us the way
To savor each moment, to not waste a day.

The laughter, the meals, the trails that he knew—
They're all painted with memories, vivid and true.
Though sudden his leaving, his legacy stays
In every kind word, in the sunlight’s rays.
So we’ll gather, remember, and carry him near—
The man that we loved, who brought us such cheer.
Forever a friend, forever a flame,
We speak of Demar, and smile at his name.

I wanted to get up and speak on Sunday so badly but I was scared.

I met Brian when he was a sophomore in high school and I was about 9 years old. He was friends with my older sister and I thought…man he could be the coolest big brother ever! He was so funny and would tease me all the time like the little annoying sister that I was to him. He was over all the time to the point that years went by and he was naturally a part of our family. Aunts, Uncles, grandparents, cousins….they all loved Brian. This was way before he took on the nickname “DeMar” . He was Brian, or my mom would call him “B”. As I got older my friends and I would do whatever it took to annoy Brian and my sister. We were the worst. 😂 But Brian was always the sweetest and would never get mad at us. He ours just roll his eyes and trap my head under his arm and give me a fat noogie till I yelled Uncle and promised to leave him and Jen alone. Those were the days.

I’ll never forget too when Brian had his red Honda prelude the same time I got mine when I started driving. We would always compare on whose was better.

When we would come home and see Demar’s car or Jeep or truck in the driveway we would be so happy. He was the best big brother around. Family holidays with Brian were so fun and he was always making everyone laugh. Especially my Dad. He would have my Dad rolling. Brian’s stories would captivate the whole family when we would all gather. He was literally the best storyteller. Between the noises he would make, his facial expressions and his delivery. Truly hilarious.

After my dad passed away in 2022, we all came together and watched all our home videos from 30 years ago. Brian is in so many. He was a staple in our house my whole growing up. Now, watching the home videos, seeing both Brian and my Dad together, knowing they are both gone, has hit me so hard. They are truly two special people that I was so blessed to have in my life.

In 2007 I got married to the love of my life and when we asked Brian to be in our wedding, seeing how happy he was to do that for us filled my heart with joy.

Decades later of meeting my future older chosen brother, he remained a staple in my life and my family’s life. Both of our boys always loved when Demar came to visit. Random visits that would usually last way too late on a Monday night hahahaha but we loved it.

Brian, you definitely took a piece of all of us when you left, but we will never forget all the great times we had. You are forever a part of the Hansen/Martin family. ❤️

RIP B,

Love,

Holly

I will forever miss you DeMar!!! You were our Holiday Hero and really just our Hero for always being the one we could count on for anything.