Brian John Lorance, 39, a longtime resident of Haverhill, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 29, surrounded by his loved ones, after a lengthy and courageous fight with a brain tumor. Throughout his battle, he remained stoic, quietly shielding those around him from the full weight of his illness.

Brian was born on October 14, 1985, to Kenneth and Michele Clark Lorance, who adored him. He attended local grammar schools and played in the Riverside-Bradford Baseball League and other youth sports leagues in the area. He graduated from Austin Preparatory School in Reading, where he stood out in baseball, track, and cross country.

After a year at Merrimack College, Brian transferred to his beloved University of New Hampshire, a place close to his heart since childhood, thanks to countless hockey games he attended with family. He graduated with honors and went on to use his sharp mind as a data analyst at Osram-Sylvania.

A true sports enthusiast, Brian often said how lucky he felt to have lived during a golden era of Boston sports championships. He especially loved the New England Patriots and rarely missed a Sunday game, which he faithfully watched with his father. Brian and Kenny were also season ticket holders for UNH Hockey and Football, an extension of a lifelong bond built on shared passions.

As an only child, Brian found deep happiness in time spent with his extended family, lighting firework snakes and sparklers as children, and engaging in lively political conversations as young adults. Summers and Thanksgivings were often celebrated at his grandparents' seaside home in Buzzards Bay, and later in Medford, where his Aunt Jeanie kept the tradition alive. Another favorite spot was the Hampton Beach cottage of his great-aunts Anne and Mary Clark; a place filled with fond memories.

Brian lived simply and sincerely. He never sought the spotlight; instead, he lifted others and took joy in their happiness. He was a movie buff with eclectic taste and a collector of sports memorabilia. Something as simple as a morning iced coffee run made his day, and in his true signature style, he always brought home something for his mom. Drives from Haverhill to medical appointments in Boston gave Brian and his mother time to bond and appreciate the small blessings in life, despite the gravity of the situation.

Known for his signature thick hair and grit, both worthy of envy even from his hero Tom Brady, he held onto them until the very end.

He is predeceased by his maternal grandparents, John and Rita Clark, his paternal grandparents, Joseph and Isabel Lorance, and his cousin Jeremiah Gorman.  He is survived by his devoted parents, Kenneth and Michele, his aunts and uncles, John Clark of Newton, Regina Clark of Medford, and Patrice and James Gorman of Manasquan, NJ. He will be deeply missed by his cousins, Timothy Gorman, Terrence Gorman, Deirdre Fedison, John Clark, Matthew Clark, and Michael Clark.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his visitation on Thursday, June 5, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Driscoll Funeral Home, 309 S Main Street, Haverhill. A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, June 6, at 9:00 AM at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, 321 S. Broadway, Lawrence. Interment will follow at Linwood Cemetery in Haverhill. For guestbook, visit www.driscollcares.com

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the Massachusetts General Hospital-Pappas Center for Neuro-Oncology team for their expert and compassionate care. Please consider a donation in Brian's name to their Neuro-Oncology Innovation Fund so that they can continue to fulfill their mission of giving hope and building health for their patients, while having an immediate impact on research and clinical trials in brain tumors.  It would bring Brian great joy knowing that other families could be spared from this.