Brent D. Arcangel

July 13, 2003 – the day life as we knew it changed forever. On that sunny summer morning, a senseless car crash took the life of our son, Brent D. Arcangel, and along with it unraveled the tapestry that we had woven as a family. In his brief 23 years he had achieved much and was fully engaged in life. He had identified his lie partner, and was looking forward to marriage and a family of his own. He finished his Master’s degree and was working as an administrator at the University of Buffalo, and at the same time worked as a legislative aide in the district office of Congressman Thomas M. Reynolds. This was only a shadow of his potential for outstanding achievements that were on the horizon. Tributes at his many memorials described his goodness, his optimism, his caring, a life force so strong that gave 100% of everything he had to friends, family, work. He was a dream employee, a great friend to many and a wonderful son and brother. We smile at the memories of yesterday, but mourn the loss of sharing the tomorrows of his life. Brent left this world much too soon, but he left this world a better place by his presence.

Not a day goes by that we don’t think about Brent’s life and the circumstances of his death. If only those friends to whom he gave so freely of himself would have thought of the consequences of driving without adequate sleep and chosen not to drive, the crash would not have occurred. If only the driver had pulled over for a break when he knew he was sleepy, our son would still be alive. How many vibrant lives will be extinguished by drowsy drivers? How many other families will suffer as ours has because of sleep-deprived drivers present on the roads every day? We can never put our family tapestry back together. We will never know where the tomorrows of Brent’s life would have taken him. We will never know Brent as an adult with his own family. But we can do our part to prevent other families from having to go down this tragic path. My wife and I are writing this tribute to urge all drivers, especially those who are young and inexperienced, to learn the signs of fatigue behind the wheel and to make a commitment not to drive drowsy under any circumstances. If we can honor Brent’s passion for life by helping to save other lives, then our mission will be realized.

— Submitted by the parents of Brent Arcangel