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Lincoln man dies after motorcycle crash

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By ZACH PLUHACEK / Lincoln Journal Star

Sunday, Oct 21, 2007 - 08:35:52 pm CDT

Brandon Villafane was a quiet guy, hard worker and leader by example, according to those who knew him.

“He was a kid that was so low maintenance, he would never cause you any grief,” said Villafane’s high school basketball coach Jim Weeks. “He was a blue collar kid, extremely unselfish.”

Villafane, 24, died Saturday after injuring his head in a motorcycle crash on South 15th Street north of Vavrina Boulevard — about a block away from his Lincoln home and just south of Pine Lake Road.

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A burial mass will be held in honor of Brandon Villafane, who died in a motorcycle accident Saturday night, at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Beatrice.

He will be buried in the St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery there.

A memorial has been established to the family's choice with the Fox Funeral Home in charge.

Closed casket visitation will be held at Fox Funeral Home from 2 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. A guestbook for signatures and messages of condolence is available online at www.foxfuneralhome.net.

Witnesses say the Beatrice native was driving fast without a helmet and doing a wheelie at about 7:30 p.m. when he lost control of his 2007 Honda CBR 1000. The bike hit two curbs, and Villafane was thrown from his seat, Lincoln Police Capt. David Beggs said.

Villafane, a former University of Nebraska-Lincoln student, was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, said Bryan Unger, who was in the same pledge class. Villafane also attended Southeast Community College and received a construction technology degree from there.

Unger remembered Villafane as a fun, laid-back, athletic guy. He was quiet, but always had a smile on his face.

Fellow members of Villafane’s Beatrice Orangemen basketball team, Jarod Obering and Rafael Omon, agreed on all counts.

The last time Omon saw Villafane about a year ago, the two played basketball with Villafane’s father and brother. He remembers Villafane as a popular, friendly guy.

“Everybody hung out with Brandon; Brandon hung out with everybody,” Omon said.

Omon remembered a game against Ralston in which Villafane, usually the quiet worker bee, became an effective, vocal leader.

“He told me to either play or get off the court,” Omon said. “I don’t know what came over him. … He lit me up, I know that.”

Villafane ended up having two key steals against Ralston during the fourth quarter of the team’s Class B state semi-final game later on that year.

He was also a star punter in high school, in addition to playing wide receiver and defense on the Beatrice football team.

“It’s a compliment to say that somebody can live in the moment,” Obering said. “Brandon was so steady — he was so reliable — he was always accountable.”

Villafane and Obering, who now lives in Denver, grew up together.

Obering didn’t judge his friend based on the particulars of the accident. He said Villafane was a fun-loving and “fully present” person.

“Brandon was always a very pure guy as far as intentions and motives. You could always trust him. You always knew where he stood,” Obering said.

“When he did speak, people listened.”

Reach Zach Pluhacek at 473-7395 or zpluhacek@journalstar.com.


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Classmate of Brandon wrote on October 21, 2007 4:22 pm:
" May God grant him rest and bring peace to his family in their time of Grief. "

 Big Chief wrote on October 21, 2007 7:46 pm:
" My heart goes out to his family. "

 We'll Miss ya Sasquatch wrote on October 21, 2007 9:12 pm:
" You'll be truly missed. You had so many friends that thought so much of you. God Bless your family in this tough time. "

 old indian wrote on October 21, 2007 9:51 pm:
" It was a beautiful day for a ride, wish this young man could have had more. "

 Sad wrote on October 21, 2007 10:04 pm:
" Our hearts are with Brandon's family and friends. May God hold all of them in the palm of His hand. "

 Schwartz Family of Beatrice wrote on October 21, 2007 10:20 pm:
" Our hearts and prayers go out to the Villifane Family! "

 beatrice citizen wrote on October 21, 2007 11:05 pm:
" Our thoughts and prayers are with his family..May all the happy memories give you strength during this difficult time "

 chomper wrote on October 22, 2007 6:25 am:
" In a split second. my deepest sympathy to the family "

 Rest in peace wrote on October 22, 2007 7:45 am:
" Brandon was a very nice and classy guy to everyone he met. We will miss you Brandon. "

 Dano wrote on October 22, 2007 8:04 am:
" I hope and wish the best for family and friends. They should know that their friends and family are here to support them when they need it most. "

 LT-friend of Brandon's wrote on October 22, 2007 8:26 am:
" Rest in Peace, Brandon. We will all miss you very much! We love you and will never forget you! "

 Friend of Brandon wrote on October 22, 2007 9:21 am:
" May you rest in peace Sasquatch. My heart goes out to the family and all of your so many friends. You will NEVER be forgotten. "

 Gregg wrote on October 22, 2007 10:59 am:
" very sad to see another enthusiast get killed. let this be a warning...if you're going to stunt ride, wear your gear. "

 Bob & Lynda @ Beaver Lake wrote on October 22, 2007 1:07 pm:
" Our deepest sympathy to Justin and the entire family. May all your happy memories together, give you strength during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with Brandon and all of you. "

 pam wrote on October 22, 2007 1:21 pm:
" it's sad to lose a young member of society who appears to have given so much. let this be a somber lesson to all. god bless the family in their time of grief. "

 Fellow rider wrote on October 22, 2007 1:38 pm:
" Rest in peace, and my thoughts are with your family. "

 FMR Beatrice Resident wrote on October 22, 2007 1:48 pm:
" I'm older than Brandon ... but EVERYONE knew him! He will be missed! One heck of an athlete! "

 Dinger wrote on October 22, 2007 2:13 pm:
" Sasamasquatch will always be remembered as a true friend. Brandon made so many great memories that we can have forever. Brandons Joke- What did ernie say to bert when bert asked if he wanted ice cream? SURE BERT "

 elementary teacher wrote on October 22, 2007 3:14 pm:
" I remember Brandon as a kind, sweet young man with a great smile. My thoughts and prayers are with Bert, Kathy, and Justin during this tragedy. "

 no name wrote on October 22, 2007 4:17 pm:
" No disrespect to him or family, but HELMETS SAVE LIVES "

 B wrote on October 22, 2007 4:29 pm:
" My thoughts and prayers go out to the Villfane family! "

 Former beatrice resident wrote on October 22, 2007 5:49 pm:
" my deepest sympathy too brandons family.. put your faith in god and he will get you thu this terrible time... "

 Former Teammate wrote on October 25, 2007 12:04 am:
" I am still in total shock but I know I have many great sports memories with Brandon as we played football, basketball, and track together in high school. He was a guy I looked up to and loved having on my team as we were both quiet competitors. His big smile and smirk will be missed as we had a blast in high school. We grew up as youngsters watchin our older brothers play and he was a great friend that I hate to see go.I know he is in a much better place and I pray to God to get us all through these tragic times. Brandon was adored by many and I truly treasure the memories we had together. "Villi" as I called him was one heck of a athlete,person, and fun loving guy who always put a smile on my face! God bless "

 JasonOlberding wrote on September 18, 2008 7:10 pm:
" I still think about and miss u everyday.I missed u at my wedding but I know u were there. WE ALL WISH WE COULD SAY GOOD-BYE. ITS NOT FAIR. AND NO ITS NOT GETTING ANY BETTER. "

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