A YouTuber who owned The Reptarium - a reptile zoo in Utica, Michigan, approximately 28 miles north of Detroit - has died.
Earlier this week, Brian Barczyk's team announced the passing of the beloved 54-year-old YouTuber, known for his deep passion for reptiles and wildlife.
Barczyk's death followed a courageous fight against pancreatic cancer.
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In his final days, Barczyk shared a gut-wrenching goodbye video with his 5 million YouTube followers, known as the Reptile Army.
He explained that he was entering hospice care, telling his heartbroken fans he 'fought as hard' as he could.
In the 16-minute video titled "This is Goodbye," he reflected on his journey, which included a montage of past videos surrounded by his family, team, and beloved animals.
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Barcyzk opened with: 'Hey guys, good morning, and welcome to the vlog. It's been about 2,000 times that I've said that or something similar.'
Fighting back tears, Barcyzk continued: 'You never die until the last person speaks your name. My hope is that the LegaSea Aquarium, my legacy throughout everything, is going to last a long time.
'I'm ready, guys. It was a tough year. It was so painful, the pain was incredible, the sickness was incredible, the treatment was incredible, everything about it was so bad.'
Barcyzk's team posted a heart-wrenching Instagram post that read: 'On behalf of the Barczyk family and our entire team at The Reptarium, it is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Brian Barczyk.
'More than the guiding light of our organization, Brian’s fervent passion for reptiles and wildlife, along with his steadfast dedication to education, has touched innumerable hearts and minds globally.
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'Our deepest sympathies are with Brian’s family, his friends, and all those whose lives he has touched.
'We’ve lost an exceptional individual – a visionary, mentor, and friend. For those of us who had the privilege of working alongside him, Brian’s absence leaves an immeasurable void.
'As we navigate this difficult time, we find comfort in the memories and the lasting light of Brian’s work. He will be deeply missed but indeed, never forgotten.'
The Michigan reptile influencer was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer nearly a year ago, in February 2023.
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Barczyk notified his audience that his team would continue to upload content on his YouTube channel and social media accounts. His life is remembered through his wife, Lori, and their two children, Noah and Jade.