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Brandon Gregory Lee Chiera

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Brandon Gregory Lee Chiera, 40, passed away unexpectedly, in his residence, during the morning of Friday, September 2, 2022. Brandon had a heart of gold and an infectious smile that would light up every room he walked into. He never met a stranger and had numerous friends from various walks of life. He will be missed by so many.

Brandon was born June 22, 1982, to Tia Chiera and Gregory Semple in Washington Hospital and was the most beautiful baby boy. He was an immediate blessing to everyone. As he grew up through childhood, he became even more handsome and his little personality was out of this world. He warmed the hearts of everyone he met.

He loved playing sports, playing with his friends, being with his family, and there was nothing he could not do.

Brandon was a 2000 graduate of Fort Cherry High School in McDonald. He played baseball and was #34 on the football team. Brandon was a standout full back and linebacker for the Rangers. He was by far the most enjoyable kid to watch on the football field. He was so proud and honored to help pave the way for his WPIAL leading rusher and good friend, Michael Vernillo. John Vernillo, Michael’s father, used to always talk about how these Fort Cherry Boys always had such a special bond, and truer words were never spoken. There are so many Fort Cherry friends, both guys and girls, who Brandon still kept in contact with, along with the coaches who impacted his life, and he treasured each and every one of those relationships.

Brandon attended West Virginia University for one year following his graduation from Fort Cherry, took a semester off, and then attended Slippery Rock University, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Management in 2005.

After graduation, Brandon sadly chose the wrong path, which led him on the devastating road of heroin addiction. Heroin had a tremendous grip on him and told him things that began to take precedence over what his loved ones, family, and friends could tell him. It was a heartbreaking journey, which took him to the darkest depths of the earth with hospitalizations, rehabilitation stays, and total despair. It was devastating to everyone, but he decided he wanted better for himself. In 2009, after fighting to get his life back, Brandon was placed on Methadone, and it was looking like life would turn around more positively for him. In 2010, Brandon was off Methadone, off of heroin, and seemingly on the right road to recovery. Brandon stayed off heroin since that time, and he was so proud to be off heroin for 12 years at the time of his death.

Sadly, following this victory, a new onset of problems and struggles started in Brandon’s life regarding his mental health, and he was never able to recover from these issues. Brandon considered himself a fierce and persistent “warrior” who tried living every day of his life the best he could, but the daily struggles were too much to handle most days. He wanted so desperately to be considered “normal.” Those who truly knew Brandon know how difficult the struggles were for him. Brandon never wanted to be defined by his addiction. Brandon would walk into the room with his infectious smile, all the while struggling with demons that none of us could ever fathom. Addiction and mental health issues can happen to anyone and, sadly, they happened to Brandon. Brandon was on a very difficult journey, but he always felt the love and support of his family and friends. He knew he was loved. He never wanted this and neither did any of us. We were never embarrassed by his addiction because our love for him was even stronger. He fought a valiant fight but, in the end, his heart decided he had been through enough. Brandon is at peace now and is no longer hurting. As difficult as it is, we are trying to find peace and solace in this. We hope Brandon’s story can help others who may be struggling because we never want another family to experience this type of pain.

Brandon enjoyed golfing, traveling, and being with his friends. He loved amusement parks and loved playing loud music, but more than anything, he loved to eat! There was nothing he wouldn’t eat. Some of his favorite snacks when he was growing up were potato chips with hot sauce and fat pizza, and his love of food continued as he became older with other concoctions. He was just like his mother, the hotter, the better. It didn’t matter if it was delicious or horrible, he never met a meal he didn’t like. He absolutely loved Tupac, was devastated by Tupac’s death, and everyone could often hear Tupac’s music blaring when Brandon was around. It was only fitting that shortly after Brandon passed, a package was delivered to his house with the new Tupac and Biggie Smalls shirt he had ordered. Brandon was so much fun to be around. His beautiful soul and adventurous spirit will leave a huge void in this world.

Brandon is survived by his mother, Tia Krah, who fought harder for him and advocated for him more than anyone. They were not only mother and son, they were best friends.

Brandon is also survived by his two brothers, Cade Krah and Brody Krah, both at home; two stepsisters, Victoria Semple and Alexandra Semple; and two aunts, Tammy Chiera and Melissa Chiera, who considered Brandon their baby and loved him immensely.

Brandon left this world still loving his high school sweetheart from a distance, Abby McHugh. There was not a day that went by when he did not call his Mom to talk about Abby.

Brandon lived at his residence in Oakdale with his best friend and caregiver, Teddy Miller, who was truly his guardian angel. Had it not been for the love and support of Teddy throughout the years, this obituary would have probably been written sooner.

Brandon loved Teddy, who was like a father to him. Our family is eternally grateful to Teddy for his love and support of Brandon for so many years.

Brandon also had two very special friends that he considers brothers, Frankie and Lance, who he loved dearly, along with his Fort Cherry friends, who are too numerous to mention.

Brandon is also survived by two people he considered aunts, Krista Wurtzer Miller and Kim Wurtzer Hanna, and an extremely special person he considered a father figure, Brad Wurtzer.

Brandon was preceded in death by his father, Gregory Semple; stepfather, Rick Krah; and his grandparents, Joanne Chiera, John Stewart, and Brenda Stewart.

Family will receive friends from 2 to 8 p.m., the time of service, Wednesday, September 7, in Nation Funeral Home Inc., 220 E. Lincoln Avenue, McDonald, PA 15057.

Brandon will be cremated, and he will be taken home with his mother and brothers.

In lieu of flowers, Tia is requesting donations to Pittsburgh Mercy Behavioral Health, 1200 Reedsdale Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15233, in Brandon’s memory.

In addition, please remember that everyone has battles to fight, some are just harder than others. Just be kind. You never truly know what someone is going through.

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