IN MEMORIAM

Brian Hall, 56; Musician,

Helped Found Local Brewery

COOPERSTOWN – Brian Hall, 56, a musician and co-founder with his father of Cooperstown Brewing Company, died Friday, Jan. 19, 2018, at home in Missoula, Mont., surrounded by his wife Tuire; son Sampo and daughter Seidi.

Brian was born Oct. 21, 1961, in Schenectady, to Jewel and Stanley E. Hall. He married Tuire Reinivaara on Oct. 18, 1985, in Tampere, Finland.

Brian was a brewer, stay-at-home dad, musician, disc jockey and hockey player.

He graduated from Cooperstown Central School in 1979; received a B.A. in English from St. Lawrence University in 1983 and later attended the University of Montana.

After college, Brian and his father founded the Cooperstown Brewing Company, now owned by Northern Eagle Beverage, but he returned to Missoula in 2000. Upstate New York, Western Montana, Sedona, Ariz., and Tampere were all special places for Brian.

Brian was devoted to his family. He passed on the gift of music to Sampo and Seidi. Brian was Tuire’s best friend and her frequent travel companion.

Brian had a tremendous passion, talent and ear for music, playing regularly with friends in Bluegrass, Old Time Country and African styles. He mainly played mandolin, guitar and fiddle, but dabbled in several other instruments.

He shared his great knowledge of bands and traditions on his Missoula Community Radio Show, “Bluegrass Breakdown.”

Brian was also an avid hockey player and will be missed in hockey circles around the area.

Brian left a deep impression with his big smile, nervous energy, intelligence and contagious sense of humor.

Above all, he was a good man. He fought his cancer with grace, humor and a never-give-up spirit.

Along with his wife and children, Brian leaves his parents and sisters, Sandra Barry and NJ Burr and their families. He had a wide network of friends and all will miss him deeply.

Family and friends will gather for a celebration of Brian’s life at a later date.

Donations may be made to Missoula Community Radio, 1055kfgm.org, or The Pancreatic Cancer Network, Pancan.org