Michael Eugene Brant was born on March 24, 1952, the child of two titans in Cumberland culture: Julia "Juju" (Trozzo) Brant and Albert "Guzzle" Brant. His upbringing was firm, but fair and overseen by his diligently loving, fiercely Italian, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Soon he was given the role of big brother to Gary Lyness Brant—a role he cherished his entire life. Mike grew up as an Italian-American, a Catholic, and a proud member of the South Cumberland "Hilltoppers." He was extremely proud of his South Cumberland roots, always insisting that the only way he was leaving would be upon his death, when he would be taken from his Johnson Heights home "feet first."

Mike attended both SS Peter and Paul and St. Mary's schools. He graduated from St. Mary's in 1966 and was a member of the undefeated 1965 City Championship football team. He was a member of the Bishop Walsh Class of 1970 which was the first class to attend Bishop Walsh all 4 years. At Bishop Walsh Mike excelled as the center of the football team and was a member of the 1968 City Championship team. He was later inducted into the Western Maryland Catholic High School Hall of Fame.

Mike continued his football career as the center of the football team at the Johns Hopkins University, from which he graduated in 1974. Upon graduation, he moved to the Washington DC area where by day he worked as a Senior Auditor at First Virginia Bank, and by night, completed his masters degree in Public Administration from the George Washington University.

He returned to Cumberland frequently, answering the siren song of the Queen City that none can deny, nor could he ignore the fear of God that Juju Brant instilled in him if he didn't "come home." It was in Cumberland one fateful night that he would meet his future wife, Lynelle Guilbert, from a place further away than he imagined: Arizona. And, in typical Brant fashion, it occurred at the Knights of Columbus Council #586 (Mike was always proud to be part of one of the earliest councils). They dated long distance in a time when you still had to use a rotary phone and you had no idea if a person was home. They were married at St. Patrick's Church in Cumberland on July 28th, 1979. They settled in Cumberland, where Mike pursued a 41 year career working at BGS&G (now CBIZ), eventually rising to Sr. Vice President of retirement planning, a role in which he enjoyed serving clients across the country.

Mike loved Cumberland and Western Maryland, which by the way he firmly believed started at the Allegany county border on Sideling Hill not in Frederick MD! He wanted the best for all of us and was deeply dedicated to serving and improving the community. As a member of The Order of the Alhambra Wamba Caravan #89 he was a well known presence as both an organizer and a volunteer at the ACIT (Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament). His ability to welcome people to the tournament and to Cumberland helped earn the tournament's reputation as the premier boys basketball tournament in the country. He was also very proud to be the owner of a complete set of ACIT programs.

Mike served on innumerable boards of directors, including the Downtown Development Commission, the Allegany County Museum, Friends Aware, Cumberland Country Club, First Peoples Community Credit Union, the YMCA and the Rocky Gap Music Festival. As President of the YMCA board he served an additional term in order to oversee the relocation of the YMCA from Baltimore Street to Kelly Road. As a board member of the Rocky Gap Music Festival, Mike built friendships with leading artists of the day like Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Sawyer Brown, Vince Gill, and countless others.

But Mike's greatest love and greatest efforts were reserved for the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. He was the longest serving board member and spared nothing to keep it running. His famous ring tone which was a recording of the 1309's steam engine whistle was well known and often interrupted many a meeting.

Mike is survived by his loving wife Lynelle Guilbert Brant and his two children Alex Brant and Olivia Andriole. In addition, he is survived by his daughter-in-law Lauren Brant and his son-in-law Gerald Andriole III. He was a loving grandfather to Giulia Serafina Brant and Wyatt West Brant. He is also survived by his brother Gary Brant, sisters in law Marion Guilbert Kammauf (Randy), and Marjorie Guilbert, his niece and nephews Lauren Brant Seltzer (Justin), Michael Andrew Brant (Joy), Tyler Kammauf, Ryan Kammauf and Brendon McCagh. He is survived by cousins Jesse Kave, Mary Lou Dawson, Patty Jean Kennedy, Kenny Burns, Anna Mary Stinson and Joe Kuhn. Mike is also survived by four rescue grand-dogs: Teddy, Granite, Aldo, and Charlie.

Mike lived his life full of laughter, friends and very colorful language. He fulfilled all of his life dreams. He learned Italian, traveled to his ancestral village (Cerisano) in Calabria, Italy, and became an Italian citizen. He walked his daughter down the aisle, gained a new daughter in Lauren and a new son in Gerald, both of whom had a unique bond with Mike. He became a grandfather twice over and finished every single home project on his list, including digitizing over 10,000 songs from hundreds of old records and perfecting his backyard oasis.

Mike loved jazz music, old movies, the holidays, practical jokes, Italian food stores, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and all animals. He was happiest when cooking or eating and drinking with friends and family. It was not uncommon for Mike to spend days or even weeks planning a menu, procuring specialty foods, and prepping and cooking a meal to share with others. Nobody wanted to pass up a dinner made by Mike. He had faith in love. He had faith in his family, faith in his friends, and faith in his community. He leaves behind a legacy of charity to all of his causes.

Mike's final days were spent exactly according to his wishes. He was surrounded by family and friends at the best restaurant in Cumberland: his kitchen! We toasted, we celebrated, we sang, and we cried. But it was for Mike, or "Big Mike" as he was fondly known. It was peaceful and a blessing we believe only Mike and his faith in love could give us.

We will be sad for the loss of Mike Brant. But we shall not mourn. It is time to celebrate and memorialize his life, his dedication to the community, and his positive impact on others. Mike would encourage you to be an active member of the community, to give yourself to those less fortunate, and to treat all with respect (except Robin Leech and Regis Philbin, Mike did not like them and it was personal).

Mike leaves behind a completed bucket list, an adoring family, and a circle of friends who will certainly tell Mike Brant stories forever. But Mike is also joining a community in heaven, which includes many he holds dear.

Services will be held at 11AM on Tuesday May 28th at St. Patrick's Church in Cumberland, with a celebration of Mike's life to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Mike's honor to Bishop Walsh School, 700 Bishop Walsh Rd, Cumberland, MD 21502 ( https://www.bishopwalsh.org/giving ) or to the Allegany County Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 566 Cumberland, MD 21501-0566 ( https://alleganyanimalshelter.org/donate/ ).