Brian M. Frost, 62, of 9196 East Main Road, Cuba, passed away Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at home surrounded by his family after a year-long, but courageous battle with cancer.
Born on August 25, 1962, in Cuba, he was the son of Edward and Katherine A. Linderman Frost. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Gregory Frost in 2007.
Brian came into a single mother’s life who had 4 children, when they were broken and unsure of trusting anyone. He taught me and them that love could be unconditional, and that hands were for hugs. He showed them he would stand by their side whether it was the best or worse of times. He asked our children for permission to marry me, before proposing. He knew that this would impact their lives. On September 28, 1996, in Olean, he married the former Debbie Crowley who survives.
He may have started as Brian, but he became Papa Bear, and now only as Dad.
His daughter Chrissy gave him a plaque:
“Stepped Up Dad”
You stepped up to love another’s child as your own.
You stepped up to provide, protect, encourage, and support.
You stepped up to show up when it mattered the most.
You may have not given me life, but life gave me you.
Thank you for being the dad you didn’t have to be “I love You”
Thirty years later we are again a little broken, but this time it will be from our family not being whole. He gave us the gift of unconditional love, and someone who was always by our side.
In addition to his wife, Debbie, he is survived by his children Jennifer (Jason N.) Burt, of Olean, Christina Morgan of Allegany, Stephana (Christopher) Burchett of Indiana, and Bobby Lawton of Cuba; His grandchildren Austen, Jade, Isaiah, Sophia, Nicholas, and Kylie; four great grandchildren Jaxon, Octavia, Grayson, Ariyah, and was looking forward to the arrival of another great grandson in July; a nephew Geoffrey (Alycia) Frost of Cuba, a niece Heather (Tim) Kunz of Black Creek, and the children of Geoffrey and Heather.
Brian also left behind extended family, Father-in-Law, Daniel Crowley, a Brother-in-Law Daniel (Hazel) Crowley of Maryland, Sister-in-Law’s Kathleen Cochran of Olean and Traci Crowley of Utah and many more nieces and nephews.
Bri is leaving a hole in the heart of people who were his brothers and sisters. Maybe not by DNA, but by love.
Scott (Jody) Jordan who has been a lifelong friend. Neither of them remembers a time they didn’t know the other. Scott made us laugh on Bri’s last day here with stories of their adventures.
Nick (Renee) Eberhard, Nick was his brother, and Rene a sister he loved. Together, they fought this battle side by side. When Brian lost his hair, Nick shaved his off. It only took a phone call, and one was there for the other, it didn’t matter if it was for help or fun. Renee, thank you for the last words you said to him and for telling him it will be ok.
He had a blast spending time at Camp Emerald Acres. Here is where he made many friends and created more family. He enjoyed his Saturdays playing horseshoes and maybe a few sips of homemade moonshine. He was the pro of cooking in the smoker. It was here that he met Jimmy Guthrie and Robin Schneegold the newest brother and sister. Jimmy created Brian’s chainsaw addiction. He never thought he had too many, there were always room for more! Becoming a brother was something that just happened. Together they removed the trees at camp, and set campers in harmony, fixed ditches and sewer problems. They worked side by side just knowing what the other needed to complete the job. He thought of Robin as a ray of sunshine. He respected her drive and the work ethic that it took to own and run a campground. It was with that respect that made him want to help her with the campground.
Brian loved to hunt, but in the last few years he enjoyed watching the deer behind the house more than hunting them.
Bri spent hours on the computer buying gemstone slabs and cutting them into cabochons for me. He always loved rocks and collecting them, and we spent many hours going to gem and mineral shows.
Brian was the animal whisper. He loved dogs! From the first day I met him, there were always a couple dogs in his home. When we got our first Shih-Tuz, Baby, we had different roles. I was the mommy, but Brian was his best friend and playmate. Baby demanded to play for hours. We loved Baby so much, and he wanted to play so much, it was because of Baby we got Willy. Willy was Brian’s boy. They were partners. They loved to ride in the truck next to each other. Willy sat so tall and proud next to him. After losing the boys, there was never a day that went by that we didn’t talk about them.
Bri is now no longer in pain and is surrounded with every animal he has loved throughout his lifetime. There is no doubt that this has brought him joy!
Brian requested that we not have visitation or a funeral. He hated people watching him sleep and he didn’t want it to be a day of hurting. He wanted a party. So, to honor the love of my life’s wishes, a party it will be! The children and I, and other members of his family need a little time to heal. We want to celebrate his life and remember him and the joy he brought to our lives. He wanted the celebration or party to be at Camp. He wanted laughter, moonshine, a game of horseshoes, and of course smoked food. Brian’s birthday would be coming up on August 25th. Therefore, we will celebrate Brian on August 23, 2025, at Camp Emerald Acres in Franklinville NY. Robin already had events scheduled Craftings & Carvings Weekend, for the carving the gentleman does amazing chainsaw wood carving statues, it just feels like perfect timing.
Arrangements are under direction of the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc., Cuba.
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