When doctors told Michael and Sheri Roesel on April 16 that Brandon, their 17-year-old son, had acute myelogenous leukemia, they didn't ask how long he might live.

        All the Monfort Heights couple wanted to know was whether it was treatable.

        They were assured it was.

        So Brandon went through his first “induction phase” of chemotherapy at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

        To help with medical expenses, the folks at La Salle High School, where Brandon was a senior, planned a LaRosa's spaghetti dinner for Tuesday night.

        When Brandon died May 17 at Children's Hospital from complications of his treatment, it was decided that the dinner would go on — as a memorial to him.

        He was born June 5, 1984, and lived his entire life in Monfort Heights, near where his mother had grown up and where his maternal grandparents still live.

        “He had a gorgeous smile,” said his mother. He was “just always ready to have fun. He enjoyed playing Ping-Pong with his grandma.”

        He also loved golf, fishing and roller hockey.

        Brandon cleaned cars — inside and out — for Moser Dodge in Oakley. And he had a girlfriend, Heather Schmarr.

        In September, he would have been among the freshmen entering Xavier University. He planned to study communications.

        Brandon put on a brave face for his chemotherapy — and made friends with his doctors and nurses.

        “He made friends wherever he went,” his mother said. “The nurses at Children's all fought to take care of him.”

        The spaghetti dinner to honor Brandon's memory will be 5-8 p.m. Tuesday in the La Salle High School cafeteria, 3091 North Bend Road.

        In addition to his parents and girlfriend, Heather, survivors include: a sister, Brittany Roesel, at home; and his grandparents, Larry and Mary Dick of Monfort Heights, and Kenneth and Mary Jo Roesel of Westwood.

        Services have been held. Burial was at Old St. Joseph Cemetery in Price Hill.

        Memorials: Brandon Roesel Leukemia Fund or the Brandon Roesel Scholarship Fund, c/o La Salle High School, 3091 North Bend Road, Cincinnati 45239.

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