---
title: "Bret"
url: "https://sethgoldstein.me/bret/"
updated: "2026-07-04T20:53:21+00:00"
sources:
  - "https://sethgoldstein.me/bret/"
---

I’m a writer. This is how I deal with things… I write.

Here goes…

Monday I got a call that I don’t think anyone wants to hear.

It was my dad.

Bret, half-brother, had fallen while hiking in Colorado.

He died.

Those words… he died. He died. Fuck!

Those words. I still can’t believe it. Fuck!

[His full obituary is here](https://www.crippinfuneralhome.com/obituaries/bret-brachman-goldstein).

He died. Fuck!

I don’t know how to feel right now. I don’t know how I’m dealing with this weight. I want closure. But what’s going to bring me closure? Having him home back east? Seeing my father, step-mom, sister? Maybe. But how do you get closure on something so horrible?

Ugh.

***Update:* (6/20/2026)** *My family had a celebration of life for those who knew Bret out in Colorado last night. My step-mom told me that more than 75 people came to send him off. That he was so loved and touched so many lives out there. That means a lot to me to hear how great a guy he was and how missed he’ll be.*

***Update:* (6/28/2026)** *My folks are having a celebration of life ceremony for Bret on the East coast on the 26 of July. It’ll be good for me to finally say goodbye fully surrounded by all those who loved him on the East coast.*

## More About My Brother, Bret.

My bother was a avid outdoors-man. He moved to Colorado from Northern New Jersey after college. Bret worked in biz dev and analytics, was really smart, and very athletic.

Bret followed for quite long time in my Dad’s lacrosse footsteps. My dad was semi-pro.

Though he stopped lax in college, he really enjoyed exercise and exploring nature.

![Bret on a gravel bike.](https://sethgoldstein.me/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/469358295_18382407754097334_6609440447890342456_n-821x1024.webp)![Bret playing lacrosse for Bucknell University.](https://sethgoldstein.me/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/image-1.webp)I remember over the years watching his Instagram Reels and seeing him on his adventures. It was fun to watch him live his best life. He worked hard, but he also played hard.

I was never very close with him. I’m 13 years older and was very much in my teen-angst years when he was born.

I have my regrets. I wish I spent more time with him and my half-sister, Lara, growing up.

Over the recent years, we tried to communicate more and, though sporadic, I felt like it was something.

I’m going to miss him. Bret was a wonderful person. Big, adventurous heart.

We lost him. He was too young, only 32. We’ll never forget him. I know, I won’t.

I’ll miss you always, Bretsky. 💔

*May Your Life Be A Blessing*

![From Bret's Facebook profile](https://sethgoldstein.me/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/image-819x1024.webp)![](https://sethgoldstein.me/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/image-2.webp)[Source](https://kronishfuneral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/may-his-memory-be-a-blessing-1024x576.jpg)