Brandon was born on April 22nd 1985 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania along with his twin sister, Ashley. He was raised in Sewickley until age 7 when he moved to Mentor, Ohio.
As a child, Brandon dabbled in T-ball and karate, eventually settling into playing the saxophone as his main hobby. Influenced by Bill Clinton and starting at age 9, Brandon played though out junior high, high school and early college years. He performed in the jazz band, orchestra and marching band for Mentor High School as well as performing solo and accompaniment pieces in his later years. Brandon also had a love of piano and would play by ear; he did some composing for piano on the computer. He also picked up guitar during high school with the frustrating pace everyone has when learning their first Pearl Jam song.
Brandon was more than music though; he was also a talented writer. He wrote short stories and poems full of insightful messages and often humor. His writing reflected a voracious appetite for knowledge as he would consume books as one would eat the last piece of an office birthday cake. He enjoyed a variety of topics from sciences, religion, philosophy, fantasy and classic literature.
An early adopter of the internet, Brandon created a music ring for sharing files. He beta tested an online role playing game much to the detriment of those in the house trying to use the phone. He also loved playing Final Fantasy in all capacities and downloading the music that came with every adaptation.
College years would bring a flurry of activities, Brandon was too impatient to stay put in one school or major. Throughout 2003 through 2014 he was found at University of Toledo (Pharmacy), The Ohio State University (English) and most recently Cleveland State University (MIS). Unconventional, however, it is an accurate reflection of how much he wanted to do and his desires to continue learning the topics he was so interested in.
During the last summer at Cleveland State, Brandon interned at Cotsworks, moving into a full time position soon after as a Manufacturing Engineer for Software and Test. He performed a variety of tasks related to manufacturing, testing and data collection for rugged fiber optics used for aviation and military capacities. Most notably, he created programs that made testing efficient and 100% automated for the fiber optics and was a part of creating an app that provided internal company metrics on the go. He had the ability to bring together and work with a variety of people and his sense of work ethic and humor will be missed.
On a personal note, Brandon was the best man for both Doug and Brittany Reid's wedding as well as Matt and Deborah Schiering's wedding. He was the godfather for Casey and Melissa Reddy's first born daughter, Lucy Mae Reddy. Remembering that moment, Melissa said "... (Casey) said Brandon was the one he would most often talk about deep thoughts about existence, religion and life. We agreed that it would be valuable for Lucy to have a godfather she could eventually talk to about those deep questions and theories that Casey and Brandon spent so many nights diving into."
Other thoughts and memories from friends:
When it came to life's most fundamental and deepest questions, there was no perspective I valued more than Brandon Molitor's. It can't be overstated how important that is.
A friend to me in a time I remember having very few. I'm not sure I know a more important thing I could say about someone, and I'm not sure there is anything you could have done for which I would be more grateful.
The world has lost one of its most unique minds; my best friend in middle school and an inspiration ever since. He was capable of so much more than he had time to show, his passing is a blow to mankind's collective intelligence.
Brandon was the cherished son of Charles D. and the late Robin Allen Molitor, dear twin brother of Ashley Allen Molitor; also loved by Catherine, Molly and Robert Fisher, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
The family prefers that those who wish may make contributions in his name to The Music Settlement of University Circle, 11125 Magnolia Dr., Cleveland, OH 44106.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 9th at 2 PM in The Herr Memorial Chapel of Plymouth Church of Shaker Heights, 2860 Coventry Rd. (at Weymouth Rd.). Interment in Sewickley, PA will be a family service on Monday.
FRIENDS MAY CALL AT BROWN-FORWARD, 17022 CHAGRIN BLVD., SHAKER HTS., OH, FRIDAY, MAY 8TH FROM 6-8 PM.
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