Brian Smolnik, Wexford, Pa., formerly of Greenville, passed away unexpectedly Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, following a gripping battle with mental health. He was 47.

Brian had a huge heart, beautiful blue eyes, a perfect smile and was best known for his zany personality. He loved hard and he worked hard. He loved spending time with his wife, family, friends, and his beloved dog, Jetson.

He was born Sept. 14, 1977, in Greenville to the late Gary Smolnik and Daisy Johnston.

Brian was a 1996 graduate of Greenville High School and a 2000 graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in Safety Sciences-Magna Cum Laude.

After college he went on to work for Goddard Space Flight Center-NASA as an aerospace engineer. Most recently he was employed as a safety engineer for the Department of Energy.

He is survived by his wife, Kristy (Roth) Smolnik, whom he met in 2002. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his mother Diann (Patrick) Smolnik, Greenville; two sisters, Melanie (Ryan) Valenly, Greenville; Lisa (Ken) Whitehair, Hermitage; brother, Chris (Julie) Yevchak, Charlotte, N.C.; his in-laws Mitchell and Melinda Roth, East Butler; sister-in-law, Wendy Lawrence, Wenatchee, Wash.; brothers-in-law, Ryan (Nicole) Roth, Trevor Roth, Matt Roth, and 10 nieces and nephews; Ashlyn, Payton, Kyleigh, Logan, Kendall, Belle, Kylie, Kale, Luke, and Mila.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Gary R. Smolnik Jr.; his paternal grandparents, Andrew Smolnik and Evelyn Appleby; and maternal grandparents, Betty and Vernon Johnston and Anna and Lewis Persch.

In keeping Brian's wishes there will be no services.