05/23/2026
An Obituary for a Man Who Never Did Anything Halfway, Brett J. Owen, 47, of Gillett passed away on Friday, May 22, 2026 at home.
Some people leave memories. Brett James Owen left fingerprints on hearts.
Born on February 21, 1979, Brett lived the kind of life that cannot be measured by years alone.
At just 47 years old, he had already done what many spend a lifetime hoping to accomplish: he made people feel seen, believed in, stronger, and loved. Brett was the kind of man who walked into a room and somehow made it better without ever asking for credit. He had a smile that could light up the darkest day, a laugh that pulled people in, and a presence that made everyone around him feel like family. And to Brett, family was never limited to blood. He believed in people before they believed in themselves. He reached for the underdog, stood beside the overlooked, and quietly carried others when they didn’t even realize they needed help. He taught people to work harder, love bigger, and keep going when life got heavy.
Wrestling was woven into who Brett was. Not just the sport itself, but everything it stood for grit, discipline, heart, loyalty, resilience, and getting back up when life knocks you down. He coached at the University of Scranton, Horseheads High school, Waverly High School, worked with the United Training Facility Wrestling Club, and helped shape countless athletes and young people who became family along the way.
He was the loudest fan on the sideline, the first one there, and always the last one to leave.
And if Brett believed in you, you knew it. He mentored. He encouraged. He pushed people to be better versions of themselves. Somehow, he always knew the exact words people needed to hear. Whether through his business of Owen Insurance, wrestling mats, late-night conversations, hand written letters or ordinary moments that became unforgettable because he was there, Brett made an impact everywhere he went. He was a simple man in all the best ways. But above everything else, Brett loved his family fiercely.
He leaves behind the love of his life and wife of 23 years, Tiffany, a partnership built on loyalty, laughter, surviving life together, deep friendship, unconditional love, and probably a few “you were right” moments he may or may not have admitted to. His proudest title was Dad.
He adored and leaves behind Cael (21), Coleton (19), Chloe(16), and Cruze (14), showing up for every match, milestone, heartbreak, victory, and ordinary “Terrific” Tuesday in between. He loved being a husband, but he loved being their dad even more.
Brett is also survived by his parents, Trudy and Jim Owen; his sister, Alisha Tenbus and her husband Greg, along with nephews Colin, Nate, and Max; his brother-“The Other One”Patrick and wife Catherine, and niece Evelyn. He also leaves behind his extended family: father and mother-in-law Den and Marcia Link; sister-in-law Dawn and her husband Rob Haggart, niece Mackenzie, and nephew Landon; sister-in-law Jessica Daughtery nephew Liam, and niece Kinsley. And then there were the cousins, the kind people who spend their whole lives hoping to have. Brett was blessed with cousins who were more like brothers, sisters, teammates, and best friends. The kind who showed up for everything, laughed the loudest, carried memories together, and turned family gatherings into lifelong stories. Those bonds were some of the greatest joys of his life. He also leaves behind his best friend, Blaine, a friendship built on loyalty, history, jokes, laughter, and the kind of understanding that only comes from doing life side by side for years.
Brett’s family stretched far beyond blood. It included teammates, athletes, wrestling families, coworkers, lifelong friends, and every person he ever pulled aside to remind them, “You’ve got more in you.”
His life was not measured in years.
It was measured in impact.
And what he leaves behind is not silence.
It is strength.
It is stories.
It is laughter echoing through wrestling rooms and family gatherings.
It is generations of people carrying pieces of him forward.
If there is wrestling in Heaven, there is a very good chance Brett is already organizing practice, encouraging the kid standing alone in the corner, making everyone laugh, and somehow recruiting people into becoming better versions of themselves.
He was loved fiercely.
He lived passionately.
He gave endlessly.
And he mattered more than words could ever hold.
The world is better because of you, Brett James Owen. Love you most, first and forever.
You are invited to join us in the celebration of his amazing life with a time of visitation on Thursday, May 28, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Waverly High School Auditorium, 1 Frederick Street, Waverly, NY. A memorial mass to honor Brett’s life will be held on Friday, May 29, 2026 at 10:00 AM at the Church of the Epiphany, 304 S. Elmer Ave., Sayre, PA with Rev. Daniel Toomey officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations for Brett and Tiffany’s children at Citizens and Northern Bank 1827 Elmira Street; Sayre, PA 18840.Those wishing to share a memory of Brett may visit our page or at www.blauveltfuneralhome.com
