"He had this strong personality. If his brothers were doing something, he had to do it too, and he didn't care if he had diapers on, he was going to do it," his mother, Judith Tarpey, said.

Domnauer was always fun-loving, she said, sometimes with a touch of mischief. "He was the dickens. He was the most delightful child," she said. "As a toddler, I could not keep him in the house when the brothers were outside. He could figure out the lock on the front door and let himself out."

Brent Michael Domnauer died in his sleep at home on Feb. 18. He had turned 35 just five days earlier.

Born in New Jersey, Domnauer moved to San Jose with his family when he was 3 years old and attended schools in Almaden, graduating from Leland High School in 1988. He also attended Santa Barbara Community College.

He loved music, was a big fan of the Grateful Dead, and had played guitar in a band and enjoyed writing his own music.

While working for the City of San Jose Parks and Recreation Department, he helped open a day care center.

Domnauer was passionate about sports and loved playing, watching, refereeing and coaching most any sport. He especially enjoyed baseball, basketball, soccer, volleyball and roller hockey. He was a promoter of youth sports through Positive Coaching Alliance and was a coach in the North American Roller Hockey Championships.

Domnauer also did a lot of volunteer work, much of it in East San Jose.

He is survived by his mother, Judith Tarpey, his father, Steven Domnauer, and his three brothers, Steven, Scott and Mark Domnauer.

Services were held on Feb. 26 at Holy Spirit Church.

Donations can be made to a charity of anybody's choice. Because of Brent's involvement in youth activities, Tarpey said donations made on his behalf to nonprofits focused on children's programs would be especially appropriate and appreciated.