Tributes to former Warrington man who owned his own bar and gym in New York

BRIAN William Kettle, husband of Nancy, from LeRoy, New York passed away peacefully at the LeRoy Village Green residential healthcare facility on Monday, March 1, aged 79.

Brian was born on March 20, 1941 in Warrington.

Brian emigrated from England to America on October 4, 1964 following his sister Joan (Kettle) Feeley and her U.S. serviceman husband, Walter Feeley to work as a welder.

Brian attended St. Augustine’s, St Mary’s and then St John’s schools in Warrington and became a member of the St Peter’s/Our lady of Mercy parish in LeRoy.

Brian’s fiancée Florence “Nancy” Woolham would soon join him in January 1965 and were married at St. Peter’s church in LeRoy on February 27, 1965. Brian and Nancy celebrated 56 years of marriage the weekend prior to his passing.

Brian began working in 1964 as a welder and would later in 1983 start his own welding business known as BK Precision Welding before retiring in 2006.

During the mid- 1960s and 1970s, Brian was known as the guy from England who played the drums at all the local clubs and many weddings in the local area. In the late 1970s, Brian opened up his own bar/restaurant in LeRoy called “Brian’s Pub” bringing in the best local talent for a number of years.

Later in the 1980s when the music scene shifted Brian became a Disc Jockey. Brian loved entertaining and enjoyed celebrating with many families for their joyous occasions from birthdays to weddings.

In 1990, Brian purchased the building on Main Street in LeRoy that once housed his pub and with the help of his sons started the “LeRoy Athletic Club” aka “Kettle’s Gym” which is still in operation today.

Brian also served as a civic volunteer as President of the volunteer fire department’s Excelsior Hook and Ladder Club in 1974-1975 and again in 1991. Brian also coached youth soccer in the 1970s and was a member of the Genesee Creamer’s Rugby Club in the 1970s and 1980s as both a player and a coach.

A very special highlight of his time with the Creamer’s was their visits to England, Wales, and Ireland to play in several exposition rugby matches. Brian will be sadly missed by his loving and devoted wife, Nancy and his children; Robert (Sarah) Kettle, William (Laura) Kettle, James (Donna) Kettle and Ann (Kevin) Olivani; grandchildren Evelyn, Ryan and Andrew, step-grandson Eric Donohue, Kristen and Jamie, Kade and Zoey; step-great grandson Nathan Fullmer; nieces and nephews from the Kettle and Woolham families.

Brian was predeceased by his sisters Joan (Kettle) Feeley of LeRoy and Patricia (Kettle) Brandwood of Warrington.

A funeral Mass was held on March 6 at Our Lady of Mercy Church with internment following at St Francis Cemetery.