Jonathan Brittell, born July 28, 1997, in McKeesport, PA, passed away unexpectedly, on April 28, 2023, in Norfolk, VA.
Jonathan graduated from James Madison University and was pursuing a master’s degree in public health from Old Dominion University, supporting his occupation and passion for environmental science. He loved nature and had an innate curiosity and concern for all living things and our fragile planet. He was a talented guitarist and enjoyed a wide range of musical expression. While intellectually focused, he was also warm, friendly and freely giving of his time to all in need. “It’s cool,” was frequently his response to any request. He was concerned about societal issues and, while frustrated by our inability to enact timely change, he believed in our human capability to create a more just, peaceful and sustainable world. He was a strong proponent of democracy and during elections volunteered to drive citizens to the polls. He enjoyed playing games. He had a green thumb and was likely to gift you a plant or diagnose an ailing one. Jonathan cared deeply about all of us and will be dearly missed.
Jonathan is survived by his brother Joe, mother Lisa Doyle (Jay), father John Brittell (Beth), girlfriend Michaela, grandparents: Kitty & Jerry, aunts: Lori, Mindy, Annette, uncle Mickey, and numerous cherished cousins and friends.
A graveside celebration of Jonathan’s life will be held at 3:00pm, on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Mountain View Memorial Park, in his beloved Appalachian Mountains, in Boones Mill, VA, just outside of Roanoke. His ashes will nurture a new dogwood tree in a forest setting. Please wear tie-dye (or not) and if you are so inclined bring a musical instrument. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, American Society for Suicide Prevention, National Alliance on Mental Illness or your favorite charity.
We are so sorry for your loss and know that the JMU community feels this loss greatly for all of you and one of our own that is now gone. Please take care of yourselves and hold each other close. May his memory be a blessing to you all.
I am so sorry that you lost your beloved son, grandchild, brother, nephew, boyfriend, cousin, and friend. It is especially sad to know that he was so young and such a caring soul. It really sounds like he was a “giver” in life and cared about people and the planet we live on. There is an inspirational message in an ancient book of wisdom that says that “the meek shall inherit the earth”. I hope this thought brings you a measure of comfort and solace over the coming days and weeks. I pray for peace for all those that mourn his loss.
My heart just aches for all of you. Mere words can’t express my sympathy at this time. I know you feel the love of all who knew him…I am just so sorry
Wishing you all some peace at this chaotic mess of a time. A light that wished us all to just take care of each other and the planet we live on more is a light too soon dimmed.
Jason , Lisa and family, may God be with you in this very difficult and painful time in your life. I am full of sorrow for for your loss. I love you.
I am still in disbelief, Johnathan was such a sweet calm soul! His voice was soothing and he had this great energy about him that made you feel comfortable around him. He was so very smart too, and he was such a pleasure to work with, although we didn’t work in the same department, he was very easy to work with! Jonathan was one of those people you don’t forget after meeting, and I am sad there are more times to be had with him. My condolences to all of his family and friends, I know this loss isn’t an easy one.
Jonathan’s loss is severe. His kindness, intelligence, spirituality, talent, community involvement, social and environmental awareness, will be missed by all who knew him. I wish love and kindness, as Johnathan would do, to his family and friends.
I will especially miss our conversations, his help, music and playing talk. His treating everyone with respect and that no one was a stranger, and his endless stopping to identify a critter, and taking it to safety if needed! I will never forget you !
I did not know Jonathon but read about his beautiful life this morning in the paper. What an impact he had on our world. My heart aches for you as you grieve his loss. Please accept my deepest condolences.
My dear Lisa! My deepest condolences! My heart is shattered for you! I am so sorry! I remember sweet jonathan and how kind he always was! Sending all my love!
This is tragic. I am in such disbelief, Jonathan left behind a sea of friends who now mourn for him and his family I am so sorry for this loss… Jonathan was very respectful and polite he always had a kind word when others didn’t, he seemed to follow a different path and knew what he wanted in life, every time I saw him, he asked how I was and my family he had heard that we got a new dog and was very interested in seeing the pictures I will never forget his smile and compassion for everything in life. Jonathan touched so many lives; we all grieve for him and family as they navigate their way through this terrible time in life…. We will never be the same without him…