Brandon Novogroski

COVINGTON - Brandon Novogroski had become very spiritual in recent months.
That spirituality led him to help the homeless every chance he could - but in an unconventional way.
"I know it will sound strange, but he let homeless people live with him because that's just how he was. He had a heart of gold," said his mother, Mary Beth Novogroski.
"He fed people he met on the street if they needed it," added his sister, Ashley Novogroski.
"He was a very selfless person."
Mr. Novogroski drowned last week while swimming alone in the Ohio River. He was 25.
Mr. Novogroski was born in Orlando, Fla., and moved here with his family when he was 3 years old. He attended elementary school at Mary, Queen of Heaven in Erlanger and graduated from St. Henry District High School in Erlanger in 2001.
He spent a year at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College before entering the work force.
He worked in shipping and receiving at Catalina Marketing Research Solutions, then spent the past year as a host and cashier at Bob Evans in Fort Wright.
Ashley said he talked recently about going back to school to become a massage therapist.
She said her brother was a free spirit who did his own thing, though doing his own thing usually meant doing something for someone else.
"He had a real passion for helping others," his sister said. "He would make friends with anybody and made people feel great about themselves."
One way he would do that, she said, was with his wonderful sense of humor.
"It was always great to make him laugh because he had such an awesome laugh," she said.
Mary Beth Novogroski said a trust fund set up in her son's name will pay for funeral expenses, and any excess money will be donated to the Fairhaven Rescue Mission in Covington because that's what her son would have wanted.
"He was a real giving, loving kid," she said. "He would have helped anybody."
Mr. Novogroski's father, Marc Novogroski, died previously.
In addition to his mother and sister, survivors include his grandparents, Ann and Robert Novogroski.
There will be a gathering at 10 a.m. Saturday at Mary, Queen of Heaven Church. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, Taylor Mill.
Arrangements are being handled by Floral Hills Funeral Home.
Memorials can be made to the Brandon L. Novogroski Trust Fund at any First Security Trust Bank location.