Brian Herne
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When he was little we called him “Buzzy” because he literally buzzed around. He was funny, quick and pesky, understandable for the youngest of the nine children of Bud and Mary Herne of Flower City Park in Rochester. Born on June 22, 1959, Brian Gerard Herne lived his sixty-six years of life in Rochester, New York. He loved nature. He loved the beauty of the Genesee River and the power of Lake Ontario. He loved to fish and developed a genuine love and respect for falcons. He was a big proponent of the Rochester Falcon Project. The project began in the mid-nineties with an original nest box placed atop Rochester’s Kodak Tower. Over the next three decades, downtown Rochester’s efforts to reintroduce peregrine falcons has produced over eighty young, banded falcons! Brian loved this. His favorite people were fellow falconers and don’t call them “birders” or bird-watchers.
Nope.
They were falcon-focused and this wonderful band of people became some of Brian “Bird Dude” Herne’s greatest friends. Their kindnesses kept Brian in much-appreciated coffee, friendship, companionship and a genuine respect and love for their high-flying falcon friends. The project named each juvenile and adult and this amazing group of people knows all their names. Brian will be dearly missed by so many but his love for his friends and falcons gave him much to smile about while the support of our local AA groups and meetings helped keep this gentle man grounded. We will always be grateful for that. In later years Brian kept in contact with people by sending daily texts and messages of jokes, humor and the Earth’s beauty. Those daily messages are already missed by so many.
He was predeceased by his parents Bud (Francis) and Mary Herne, his sister and brother-in-law Patty Kay and Don Lilley, his older brother and sister-in-law Mike and Ann Herne, his sister-in-law Teri Herne and his loving aunt Isabelle Roth. He is survived by siblings Ronnie Herne, Sweet Grass Longhouse, Ginny and Jerry Janas, Terry Herne, Ruthy and Dave Blodgett and Sean and Linda Herne. Brian was also survived by former sisters-in-law Cindie Dawid, Mary Jane Bagnato and Nancy Bloss. A shout-out of thanks to Jerry Janas for his devotion to Brian, making sure he got to appointments, meetings and shopping. Jerry was the quiet force behind making sure the Bird Dude was looked after and we are forever in his debt.
Brian is also survived by a large number of nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and nephews, many of whom remember the cool, younger uncle of their youth with smiles and warmth. His ashes will be inurned in Parma Union Cemetery in Hilton. Date to be determined. Friends and family are welcome. The family would also like to thank the staff of the Critical Care ICU at Strong Memorial Hospital and the Medical ICU unit 8-1600 for their valiant attempts to save Brian’s life. They were strong, professional and compassionate in every way and we are grateful to have such diligent medical care here. Your efforts will not be forgotten.
“FLY ON, MY SWEET ANGEL.”
Go Rest High On That Mountain Thank you for all your jokes I will always miss you Until we meet again
Your Buffalo family is so very sorry for the loss of your brother, uncle, friend! May the Lord blanket you all with comfort at this time! ❤️
So sorry to hear. He was a very busy kid in our old neighborhood who loved to climb trees, run, jump and make us all laugh at his silliness. He is definitely another member of the Herne Family across the street that will stay part of my happier childhood memories. Peace, Buzzy and fly over us all.
Fly Free Brian. You were a true friend that I will forever miss. I know you are flying with the falcons you loved to watch. Say hello to Mariah and Kaver for me. Miss you. 💔
Condolences to his family and friends.
Brian gave me my very first “falcon watching lesson” the day I met him. It was the first of many wonderful gifts he gave me over the course of our friendship and, while he didn’t have a lot when it came to material things, the enormity of Brian’s heart made him the richest man I’ve ever known. I will love and miss him every single day until we meet again. 💔♥️
My brother Brian was a generous man. He often purchased gloves and socks to donate to the poor in winter months. He gave them to Christ Church in downtown Rochester for the poor.
I loved him since he was born. And never stopped when he was struggling with life. He is now with his mom whom he loved dearly. God bless you baby brother and pray for the rest of us. God loves you and me.
Condolences to the Herne family. Brian was known as “Harpo” to many of us that knew him from the 10th Ward and Maplewood Park. His laugh was distinct and I can hear it now. God Bless!
Brian was my friend, certainly one of my best friends. He supported me when times were hard, and I supported him when needed it, very much a reciprocal relationship.
I was so glad when he finally got into his current apartment, where he could see downtown and occasionally a falcon, he put up with so much in the 20+ years that I knew him but never complained, just kept being optimistic.
Brian knew more about all birds than anyone I’ve known, and freely shared that knowledge with anyone who cared to listen. Plus he was so generous with anything that he had, which wasn’t much but he gave it freely when it was necessary.
My life wont be the same without BD and his morning texts, his watching the sun so that he could tell folks when to go to the lake to see the auroras, he never stopped learning, and was much smarter than some who first me him might think, but once they got to know him they understood.
Fly free, Brian – I remember you telling me once that when you couldn’t sleep you’d imagine you were an eagle flying around the bay, I still do the same thing. You’ll be missed greatly, but I’m glad that you aren’t suffering anymore. May God bless you.
Dear Family of Brian ( Harpo) Herne, our family and yours grew up together on flower city park. Harpo was a part of our gang . And we’ve managed to stay in touch all these years. He will truly be missed . So sorry for your loss. Sincerely, The Cameron Kids : Mark, Sue and Dan
I grew up on flower city, and have known harpo almost my whole life. Been sober for along time and would see him in the rooms. Always greeted me with a big hug and huge smile. I too am a lover of birds of prey, still have an eagle feather harpo gave me. Last time I saw him, I gave him a giant batch of beans and greens. Have not seen in quite awhile but have asked about him. I can hear his chuckle now. He was a kind and gentle soul. I loved him. I am sure his soul is at Peace. I would to attend the ceremony at the gravesite.
Deepest sympathies to the Herne family and all who loved Brian (Harpo).
I, too, grew up on FCP. It was a great neighborhood and the bond that we made as children has lasted a lifetime.
So many wonderful memories.
I have not seen Harpo for sometime, but I always considered him a friend and I loved him.
Like all 10th warders it didn’t matter how much time passed since we’ve seen each other. You were always met with a hug and smile. We were a family!
Rest in Peace, my friend. Love Debbie
My heartfelt condolences to the Herne family, Brian was one of my favorite people for sure. I called him Harpo and I’m from the 10th ward also. What I would like to say about Harpo is he was the kindest person I’ve ever met, he had this gentle spirit and soul about him. He always greeted me with a hug and it didn’t matter how time passed since we had seen each other we always acted like it was just yesterday. Rest in peace my beautiful friend. Love Janice
Bob Clarke,The 10th Ward in the beginning of the 1970s was filled with young teens that became a close knit family whom spent a lot of time at Maplewood Park and Exploring the Beautiful banks of the Genesee River. Many have described Brian like we knew him long ago and others like they’ve known him years after our days on Flower City Park. I lived a few doors down from the Herne Family and was close with Sean Herne and Brian hung out with my brother Bill who will greet him in heaven along with Brian’s Dear Parents Bud & Mary a small petite woman with a lovely heart and Bud the RRS Bus driver with his goatee. And of course the other dear family members and acquaintances he’ll reunite with. God Bless Brian 🙏🌹🦅.
My friend Harpo, Danny C and myself were thick as thieves. Are pack had many adventures but what I have carried all these years was the brotherhood that was loving and admired. Blessings to the Hernes family as he leaves us with memories and his family will be waiting for his embrace.