Brian Leroy Kumbalek, 77, a.k.a. Bryan Lee, Your Braille Blues Daddy, The Blind Giant of the Blues, New Orleans Blues Institution, husband, father, and friend, passed into legend Friday, August 21, 2020, at Tidewell Hospice House in Sarasota, FL. He is survived by his wife, Bethany Kumbalek, his daughter, Dena Darrow, his son Bryan Kumbalek, step children Sarah Harder, Alison Harder (Zach Colvin) grandson Noah Harder, Christopher Cahill, his sister Vicky Reilly (Rich Reilly) niece Megan Reilly and nephew Raymond Reilly( Kimberly Reilly) Kiernan and Isla -Jo Reilly, his brother Gary Kumbalek (Gayle Kumbalek) Robbie Kumbalek and Shannon Kumbalek with many beloved extended family members.
Brian made the world a better place by sharing his God given musical talent. He began performing professionally at the age of 13 in his birthplace of Two Rivers, WI and continued playing all over the world until the year 2020.
“A gift is not a gift unless you share it. God gave me the gift of the Blues and I want to share my gift with you.” Bryan Lee
The funeral will be held on Wednesday, August 26th at 10:00 a.m., at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Bradenton, FL. The funeral ceremony will be streamed on Facebook.
Brian’s family whole-heartedly thanks the staff the Bradenton and Sarasota Tidewell Hospice, BayCare Home Health Care, The Community Paramedics Program, and the Bradenton EMT’s for their loving care and support.
