Brian A Latessa

Husband, Father, Brother, Uncle, Teacher, Coach, and Mentor 

Brian Alexander Latessa, 59, of Kickemuit Avenue, Bristol, R.I., passed away unexpectedly in the arms of his brother and wife at home on August 8, 2024.  Brian was a devoted husband to Monique Latessa for 34 loving years and proud father to their three beautiful children: Benjamin Classen, Domenique Latessa, and Luke Latessa.  

Brian was born in Lebanon, PA., on August 11, 1964, to the late Ernest R. Latessa and Grace M. (Galassi) Latessa. He was the youngest son of the Latessa family. 

Brian was the ultimate family man. From coaching his children’s sports teams to never missing a school event, he loved spending time with his family. His vibrant spirit and zest for life inspired all who knew him. Brian was a mentor throughout his entire life, whether it was in the classroom, the football field, or on the wrestling mat. He inspired and mentored so many young individuals and impacted many throughout his short life. His warm beautiful smile, his sense of humor, his ability to make people laugh, and feel comfortable is what made him stand out above the rest. At school his colleagues could always count on him to do something mischievous to make them laugh or catch them off guard to make them smile. 

Brian attended Thayer Academy in Wesley, MA for his freshman, sophomore and junior years, then transferred to Blair Academy in New Jersey where he was mentored, taught and coached by his older brother Bobby. Brian was an amazing all-around athlete excelling on the wrestling mat, baseball field, and on the football field. He placed fifth and sixth place at National Preps. 

He attended Springfield College where he majored in Business and was part of the Springfield College Wrestling Team. 

Brian graduated and took his first job as a Wedding Planner at Chez Josef in Agawam, MA. He also began his career as a wrestling coach at Long Meadow High School. In 1989, while officiating a wedding to his surprise he met the love of his life. It was love at first sight. He often told his friends that he knew when he met her that he was going to marry her. It was not long after that encounter they married. He continued his studies at ACI and received a master's in education. He took his first teaching job at Wilbraham and Monson Academy in Wilbraham where he taught math, coached football, and brought the wrestling team to first place for their division- 19 -1- 1 top of Prep School League.  The Coachmen were a force to be reckoned with under coach Latessa’s mentoring. In 2000, following his wife’s career to Bristol as a principal, Brian was hired at Mt. Hope High School for the business/ communications department. He has spent his entire career as a Husky and loving every minute of it. He coached wrestling for Mt Hope for many years. One of the greatest accomplishments was coaching his son, Benjamin, who took many titles throughout his four years at Mt. Hope. During Ben’s senior year he placed first in his weight class and also named All State Wrestler. The second greatest achievement was his creation of HNN, Huskies News Network. Having an active broadcasting studio where he could mentor students through this to a career. Many of these broadcasts can be viewed on Huskies News Network on YouTube. 

No matter the sport, his competitive drive always came through whether it was wrestling, football, baseball, playing bocce, and creaming everyone at corn hall. 

Brian is survived by: his three children Benjamin Classen of Statesville, NC, Domenique Latessa and her wife Sheridan of Warren, RI., and Luke Latessa of Bristol, RI; siblings Michael Latessa and his wife LeAnn Latessa, Tina Furdon and her husband Jimmy Furdon, Robert Latessa and his late wife Patricia Latessa, and Beth Latessa; along with many loving nieces and nephews. 

Callings hours will be held Wednesday, August 14, 4 - 8 PM. Brian’s funeral services will take place on Thursday, August 15, 9 – 10:30 AM at the George C. Lima Funeral Home, 367 High Street, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, 11 AM at Saint Mary of the Bay, 645 Main Street, Warren RI. Burial will follow in North Burial Ground.

Donations can be made to the Brian Latessa Scholarship Fund on Venmo at: @brianlatessafund 

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