Brent Paul Salsburey

Brent Paul Salsburey, RN

May 3, 1986 — June 15, 2022

Brent P. Salsburey, 36, surrendered gracefully on June 15, 2022, surrounded by loved ones, after a four-year battle with renal cell carcinoma. He was born in Ottawa, Ohio, to John and Lisa (McCrate) Salsburey. He was a 2005 graduate of Ottawa Glandorf High School and worked as a certified nursing assistant at The Meadows in Leipsic, Ohio, before enrolling at The Ohio State University. After graduating in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, he remained on the OSU campus as a registered nurse at Wexner Medical Center.

Brent relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, for a role as a firefighter and paramedic serving Mecklenburg County. He then moved to Florida, where he worked as a travel nurse in Flagler Beach and then a psychiatric registered nurse at Suncoast Center in St. Petersburg. 

Brent was an avid hiker and traveler, exploring many of the country’s most famous national parks, even after his cancer diagnosis in 2018. He did not allow cancer to define or diminish his life; instead, he used it as justification to live life well and to its fullest. 

In a span of less than six years, Brent inspired friends, family members and fellow cancer patients as he traversed Yellowstone, Glacier and Grand Teton national parks in Montana, Smokey Mountains National Park in Tennessee, Olympic National Park in Washington State, North Cascades National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, Arches of Zion National Park in Utah, Acadia National Park in Maine, Adirondack Park in New York, Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, and Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. He also hiked many trails in Georgia, Oregon, Colorado, Hawaii, Spain, Germany, Italy, Ireland, and Portugal.

In 2021, Brent traveled to California to take part in the First Descents program, which provides life-changing outdoor adventures for young adults who are affected by cancer and other serious health conditions. It was this experience that inspired him to not only survive, but thrive, and he continued to add to his “bucket list” and live life to the fullest. 

First Descents not only reignited Brent’s desire to volunteer and use his many gifts and talents to give back to the world, but it also gave him the confidence he needed to date again. Soon after putting himself “back on the market,” Brent met Jesse Mocha, and their relationship blossomed as they traveled around the U.S. and Europe.

Prior to his passing, Brent was gearing up for a 12-day, 110-mile hike, known as Tour Du Mont Blanc, across parts of Switzerland, Italy, and France, and, as an avid soccer fan, he had hoped to travel to Qatar later this year for the 2022 World Cup. 

Brent was a highly skilled and dynamic tennis player, breaking his high school’s record for the highest winning percentage in doubles and winning Tampa Bay Ultimate Tennis men’s doubles championships in 2015 and 2017. He followed men’s and women’s professional tennis and traveled to tournaments such as the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati and the Miami Open to see his favorite players in action. He was also a Tampa Bay Rowdies season ticket holder and enjoyed trivia nights with his friends at bars and pubs around St. Petersburg. 

A compassionate animal lover who always put others’ needs before his own, Brent was a longtime volunteer at Pet Pal Animal Shelter in St. Petersburg, and he provided financial support to Friends of Strays, the ASPCA, First Descents, and KidneyCAN. 

Brent is survived by his parents, John and Lisa (McCrate) Salsburey, brother Justin Salsburey, the love of his life and soulmate Jesse Mocha, numerous uncles, aunts and cousins, and fur babies Iggy and Ren. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Paul and Anne McCrate and Robert and Frances Salsburey. He will be dearly missed by his many friends in the St. Pete tennis community, who greatly admired his talent, humor, and good sportsmanship. 

The family extends their sincerest thanks and gratitude to the National Institutes of Health, Moffitt Cancer Center, Dr. Mayer Fishman, Dr. Matthew Murphy, Amy Piper ARNP, Empath Health Suncoast Hospice, and Smartpatients.com. 

Arrangements are being handled by Sorensen Funeral Home, 3180 30th Ave. N., St. Petersburg. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to First Descents, KidneyCAN, Pet Pal Animal Shelter, Friends of Strays, or the ASPCA.

Please click the below link for an e-vite to Brent's Celebration of Life which is August 27, 2022 1:00pm-4:00pm at Pinellas Ale Works Brewery.

https://www.paperlesspost.com/go/M6mblMqt1P907dhmZ04Zz

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Brent Paul Salsburey, please visit our floral store.