Captain Brian Tracy was a 17-year veteran to the Santa Cruz City Fire Department when he was diagnosed with an advanced glioblastoma brain cancer. He was hardworking, determined, admired, and funny. People at the fire house wanted to be around him, wanted to work for him, wanted to learn from him. During his time with the department, Brian was a leading force through numerous critical calls for service, always leaving a mark on the people he helped. There was hardly a place in Santa Cruz that he could go without someone knowing who he was, saying “Hi” and “Thank you.” That was the energy Brian carried; everyone wanted to be close to him. He was effervescent, lively, and joyful. They called him “Guido” around the firehouse, as never before was a person so proud of their Italian heritage.

Beyond being a fire captain, Brian was a devoted husband, loving father, loyal friend, and dedicated serviceman to his community. Brian loved to be in the sun and the ocean, enjoying all that Santa Cruz had to offer. He also spent a lot of time in his leather workshop, creating belts and harnesses for his fellow firemen. Brian was a classic green thumb and loved to be out in his yard, tinkering with the pond and growing organic fruits and vegetables to share with friends and family. He also loved to be in the kitchen, cooking delicious Italian meals using every dish he could find. His favorite way to spend an afternoon was to get on his bike and ride down to the beach, doing a “cliff cruise” all along the east side of the city. If it was sunny, Brian was outside. That was him. Warm as sunshine.

Brian leaves behind a family that misses him desperately. He was the life of the party, the glue that kept everyone together, the vibrancy in the room. His laugh was contagious and bigger than life. He was the kind of person that looked you in the eyes when you were having a conversation, completely engaged. He would do absolutely anything and give absolutely everything to the people that he loved, without question. And that huge heart of his extended far beyond the walls of his home, which was why the fire service was so defining for him. It was another outlet for all the love that he had to give.

We miss his hugs. We miss his heart. We miss him from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet. He was one in seven billion, and he will never be replaced or forgotten.