Obituary of Bryan Patrick Gilmore

Bryan Patrick Gilmore, 31 of Jacksonville Beach, died Friday, February 19, 2016 of an accidental overdose ending his life-long struggle with dyslexia, bipolar disorder, and addiction. He was a professional college graduate, an avid surfer, a sunrise lover, and a hard loving, highly intelligent, wildly creative, risk taking culinary genius who recently landed his dream position as Sous Chef at a prestigious Jacksonville Beach, FL restaurant. His family was extremely proud of his accomplishments and loved him more than he could ever accept. His life and death proof of the duality, the enigma, that is mental health disease and addiction. The roller coaster of emotions and adventures through good and bad, loving and hateful, happy and depressed, light and dark, also deeply affected those who loved Bryan. Through it all he was his own person and he made no apologies for being who he was. He lived life on his own terms. He left this world unexpectedly and with an incomplete to-do list on his fridge; his true potential unrealized, but recently tapped. His death was a shock, but not a complete surprise to those who knew his true struggle. He was most at home in the ocean on his surfboard, salt air washing over his skin. Bryan was equally passionate about being in the high energy world of the gourmet kitchen, surrounded by others who shared his passion. Bryan is now at peace and we take comfort that the demons which he battled daily no longer pull at his heart, mind, body, & soul. He is survived by his friends and loving, supportive family: father, Steve Gilmore of Cary, NC; mother, Kim Berezein and husband Scott of Indian Harbor Beach Florida; and sister Kelly Urban and husband Rob and family of Charlotte, NC; and his grandmother, step-sister, and countless aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews up and down the east coast. Please contact the national drug abuse and mental health hotline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) if you or someone you know is struggling with addiction and/or mental illness.His family and friends will be holding an Oceanside remembrance to celebrate his life.In lieu of flowers, please enjoy a sunrise, a gastronomic bonanza at your favorite eatery, and hug your loved ones an extra time or two.