Brandon Gregory Lee Chiera

Brandon Gregory Lee Chiera, age 40, passed away unexpectedly at his residence
during the morning of September 2, 2022. Brandon had a heart of gold and an
infectious smile that would light up every room he walked into. He never met a
stranger and had numerous friends from various walks of life. He will be missed by so
many.
Brandon was born on June 22, 1982 to Tia Chiera and Gregory Semple at Washington
Hospital and was the most beautiful baby boy. He was an immediate blessing to
everyone. As he grew up through childhood, he became even more handsome and his
little personality was out of this world. He warmed the hearts of everyone he met.
He loved playing sports, playing with his friends, being with his family, and there was
nothing he could not do.
Brandon was a 2000 graduate of Fort Cherry High School in McDonald, PA. He played
baseball and was #34 on the football team. Brandon was a standout full back and
linebacker for the Rangers. He was by far the most enjoyable kid to watch on the
football field. He was so proud and honored to help pave the way for his WPIAL
leading rusher and good friend, Michael Vernillo. John Vernillo, Michael’s father, used
to always talk about how these Fort Cherry Boys always had such a special bond, and
truer words were never spoken. There are so many Fort Cherry friends, both guys and
girls, that Brandon still kept in contact with, along with the coaches who impacted his
life, and he treasured each and every one of those relationships.
Brandon attended West Virginia University for one year following his graduation from
Fort Cherry, took a semester off, and then attended Slippery Rock University, where
he earned his Bachelor’s degree in business management in 2005.
After graduation, Brandon sadly chose the wrong path, which led him on the
devastating road of Heroin addiction. Heroin had a tremendous grip on him and told
him things that began to take precedence over what his loved ones, family, and
friends could tell him. It was a heartbreaking journey which took him to the darkest
depths of the earth with hospitalizations, rehabilitation stays, and total despair. It
was devastating to everyone, but he decided he wanted better for himself. In 2009,
after fighting to get his life back, Brandon was placed on Methadone, and it was
looking like life would turn around more positively for him. In 2010, Brandon was off
Methadone, off of Heroin, and seemingly on the right road to recovery. Brandon
stayed off Heroin since that time, and he was so proud to be off Heroin for 12 years at
the time of his death.

Sadly, following this victory, a new onset of problems and struggles started in
Brandon’s life regarding his mental health, and he was never able to recover from
these issues. Brandon considered himself a fierce and persistent “Warrior” who tried
living every day of his life the best he could, but the daily struggles were too much to
handle most days. He wanted so desperately to be considered “normal.” Those who
truly knew Brandon know how difficult the struggles were for him. Brandon never
wanted to be defined by his addiction. Brandon would walk into the room with his
infectious smile, all the while struggling with demons that none of us could ever
fathom. Addiction and mental health issues can happen to anyone and, sadly, they
happened to Brandon. Brandon was on a very difficult journey, but he always felt the
love and support of his family and friends. He knew he was loved. He never wanted
this and neither did any of us. We were never embarrassed by his addiction because
our love for him was even stronger. He fought a valiant fight but, in the end, his
heart decided he had been through enough. Brandon is at peace now and is no longer
hurting. As difficult as it is, we are trying to find peace and solace in this. We hope
Brandon’s story can help others who may be struggling because we never want
another family to experience this type of pain.
Brandon enjoyed golfing, traveling, and being with his friends. He loved amusement
parks and loved playing loud music, but more than anything, he loved to eat! There
was nothing he wouldn’t eat. Some of his favorite snacks when he was growing up
were potato chips with hot sauce and fat pizza, and his love of food continued as he
became older with other concoctions. He was just like his mother, the hotter, the
better. It didn’t matter if it was delicious or horrible, he never met a meal he didn’t
like. He absolutely loved Tupac, was devastated by Tupac’s death, and everyone
could often hear Tupac’s music blaring when Brandon was around. It was only fitting
that shortly after Brandon passed, a package was delivered to his house with the new
Tupac and Biggie Smalls shirt he had ordered. Brandon was so much fun to be
around. His beautiful soul and adventurous spirit will leave a huge void in this world.
Brandon is survived by his mother, Tia Krah, who fought harder for him and advocated
for him more than anyone. They were not only mother and son, they were best
friends. Brandon is also survived by his two brothers, Cade Krah and Brody Krah, both
at home, two stepsisters, Victoria Semple and Alexandra Semple, and two aunts,
Tammy Chiera and Melissa Chiera, who considered Brandon their baby and loved him
immensely.

Brandon left this world still loving his high school sweetheart from a distance, Abby
McHugh. There was not a day that went by when he did not call his Mom to talk
about Abby.
Brandon lived at his residence in Oakdale with his best friend and caregiver, Teddy
Miller, who was truly his guardian angel. Had it not been for the love and support of
Teddy throughout the years, this obituary would have probably been written sooner.
Brandon loved Teddy, who was like a father to him. Our family is eternally grateful to
Teddy for his love and support of Brandon for so many years.
Brandon also had two very special friends that he considers brothers, Frankie and
Lance, who he loved dearly, along with his Fort Cherry friends, who are too numerous
to mention.
Brandon is also survived by two people he considered aunts, Krista (Wurtzer) Miller
and Kim (Wurtzer) Hanna, and an extremely special person he considered a father
figure, Brad Wurtzer.
Brandon was preceded in death by his father, Gregory Semple; stepfather, Rick Krah;
and his grandparents, Joanne Chiera, John Stewart, and Brenda Stewart.
Viewing for Brandon will be held at Nation’s Funeral Home in McDonald, PA on
Wednesday, September 7, 2022 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with his service
immediately following. Brandon will be cremated, and he will be taken home with his
mother and brothers.

Family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 7, 2022 from 2-8PM at Nation Funeral Home Inc. 220 E. Lincoln Ave McDonald, PA. 15057. A Service will take place immediately following visitation at 8PM. In lieu of flowers, Tia is requesting donations to Pittsburgh Mercy Behavioral Health, 1200 Reedsdale St. Pittsburgh, PA. 15233 in Brandon’s memory.
In addition, please remember that everyone has battles to fight, some are just harder
than others. Just be kind. You never truly know what someone is going through.