Brian P. Rabbitt passed away in the company of his loving family, Tuesday night at the Care Dimensions Hospice of Lincoln. He was 60. A life-long Medford resident, Brian was the cherished son of the late John J. "Jack" and the late Patricia A. (Gearaghty) Rabbitt. Brian’s Beautiful remembrance in the words of his family:
The community suffered a tremendous loss today when Brian Rabbitt of Medford passed away after bravely fighting pancreatic cancer for over a year. Brian was beloved by all as a member of the Medford water department for 23 years proudly working side by side with his “ work family” including water, highway, police, fire and mechanic departments.
For many years adults and children alike would watch his cheerful face driving up on the back of a Medford fire truck as Santa Claus at the Medford tree lighting. The fraze “ he would give you the shirt off his back” is overused but he personified its true meaning. It didn’t matter what anyone needed Brian was there to do it, out of pure goodness from the heart(ie: his mother in laws Dunkins at 6 am, food for a sick friend or fixing your water heater gushing at 2am).Brian would never take a dime and just wave you off with a hand if you offered money.
Brian was a man of few words with the heart of a lion. Once he started ,however, or got wind of any injustice at all, his passion truly came out to fight for what is right. Brian was fiercely loyal to his friends and family and that was blatantly obvious when the mayor of Medford, Stephanie Burke named July 20, 2019 at a fundraiser for pancreatic cancer, forever more, Brian Rabbit day.
Most might struggle to maybe have 100 close people to celebrate with them while Brian had over 500 people whose lives he touched, drop by the celebration on July 20 last year.
Brian personified what today’s world needs so much more of love and kindness for everyone and anyone with no recognition of race, sex, religion, color or creed, he would give his best to all. He only saw one thing—- a human being.
Brian did not require riches just the simple life of being kind to people, having good friends maintained over the years since childhood ( a rare feat in today’s world. Upon retirement Brian simply wanted to get a rv and a adopt a small rescue dog( didn’t matter what kind) and drive across the country with the love of his life and wife Cindy. He enjoyed camping in the white mountains with His wife Cindy, scratch tickets of any kind, devout dedication to his work at the water department and colleagues, a nice cold Diet Coke, chicken parmigiana, strawberry shortcake ( he never met one he didn’t like), a yodel or anything sweet.
So we ask on July 20 each year to all those who’s lives were touch by Brian’s brave fight with cancer, incredible humanitarianism, a simple kindness he may have done or his glowing face while your child sat beside Santa to please think or raise a glass and celebrate an extraordinary human, loved by all.
The beloved husband of Cynthia J. “Cindy” D'Angeli, he was a devoted father to Stephen Douglas and Sean Bartholomew. He also leaves three grandchildren. Brian was a dear brother of John Rabbitt and his wife Patricia, and James Rabbitt and his wife Cheryl. He was a proud uncle of Joseph Rabbit, James Rabbitt and Kristin Cardone. He was a loving great-uncle of Giuliana.
Funeral Services for Brian will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, please honor Brian's memory by making a contribution to the Granara-Skerry Trust, PO Box 1047, Medford MA 02155 to help combat pancreatic cancer.