Three Village Remembers Brendan Cody

A competitor, fierce on the field, humble and kind are just some of the words being used to describe Brendan Cody, a Ward Melville alum who passed away this week from a rare form of cancer.

“Brendan moved on my block in the eighth grade,” said friend and former Melville lacrosse teammate, Eric Dimech. “He didn’t even know what lacrosse was when I met him.”

Brendan made an impact on many people in his 44 years. After his graduation from Ward Melville, he attended Nassau Community College where he continued his lacrosse career and then transferred to Johns Hopkins in Maryland on lacrosse scholarship. He played midfield and helped lead that team to NCAA Division I Final Four. He married his high school girlfriend Lauren and together they moved to Maryland and had two girls.

His former lacrosse coach, Joe Cuozzo,  remembers Brendan as fierce on the field, a natural talent who was as equally gifted in football. Together, they captured the state title.

“He was just a great guy, all around, on the field and off, a good person. It is very sad that he lost his life so young,” said Cuozzo. “We were planning on going down to Maryland for a fundraiser, but Brendan wasn’t well enough.”

His good nature and time on the field created lifelong bonds with his teammates. Dimech said the support from his former football teammates continued and throughout the years. 

“His core group of friends, they have been amazing,” said Dimech. “They’ve been there with him throughout all of the chemo. It was really nice to see. They stepped up and they were there.”

On a tribute page to Brendan, a neighbor recalled his modesty and his willingness to help.

“I remember within the first few months you moved in, you (secretly) fixed our gutter for us and refused to take money for it when we realized it was you who had fixed it. That's how you were. Generous and humble.”

Former player Michael Parisi, who Brendan coached in lacrosse at Connetquot said,” Brendan was my lacrosse coach for three years at Connetquot. The tenacity and passion that he brought to every practice and every game was second to none.”

Fundraising efforts for the Cody family are in the works according to friends. Patch will keep you posted on how you can contribute.

“He fought for his life as hard as he fought on the field,” said Dimech.