ROANOKE – Brian Jay Wishneff was born on October 16, 1952, and passed away on May 24, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. He was the son of the late Alvin Wishneff and Ruth Victor Wishneff. Brian grew up with his parents, three sisters, and one brother in Norfolk. He earned
a bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s in urban planning from Virginia Tech where he later taught as a graduate professor. He began his career with the City of Roanoke in 1978 serving most of his time as the Economic Development Director.
In 1995, he left his work for the city to found a successful economic development, finance and consulting firm, Brian Wishneff
& Associates. Throughout his time at the city and with his firm, Brian was involved in almost every important economic development project in the Roanoke Valley and Southwest Virginia over the past 40 years. He loved his work and helping people get projects done. While never looking for the headlines, his behind-the- scenes work was instrumental in developing creative solutions to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. He was thoughtful and loyal and always developed an approach to solving problems using logic and reason. Brian also served terms on both the Roanoke City School Board and Roanoke City Council.
In addition to being a pioneer in the development of Roanoke City and numerous development projects in over 40 states throughout the United States, Brian was a sports enthusiast and devoted member of the communities around him. He was the coach of the renowned basketball team, the Killa Bees, for two generations and a baseball coach for many years.
His favorite teams were the Virginia Tech Hokies, Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Boston Celtics. He also greatly enjoyed his regular poker group of 40 years where he claimed to be a regular winner. Brian was a valued member of the Temple Emanuel for 45 years and a member of the Roanoke Symphony Board. He was an active participant of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, which gave him the opportunity to meet Pope Francis in Vatican City in 2017.
Brian met the love of his life, Andrea Wishneff, who would become his wife of nearly 50 years, at Virginia Tech. To get her to talk to him, he cleverly invented a fake class assignment: a custom questionnaire he claimed he needed for school, even though no such assignment actually existed.
In addition to his wife, he will be missed and dearly remembered by the last three letters of “BAEPT;” his children, Erik Wishneff and wife, Jane, Parker Wishneff and wife, Katie, Taylor Wishneff and fiancé, Charles Piot. He was the very proud grandfather of
Riley, Grayson, Avery, Sonny, and Bowie. He encouraged his children and grandchildren to be conscious and dynamic members of society and to always carry a sense of humor.
Brian is also survived by his sisters, Sandra Wishneff Lefcoe, Lynn Wishneff Robbins, and Sherry Wishneff Phillips (who all constantly competed to be his favorite sister) and was preceded in death by his brother, Wayne Wishneff and sister, Michelle Wishneff Robins.
A funeral service was held at the Temple Emanuel Cemetery in Roanoke. Donations to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. Condolences may be shared with his family by visiting www.Oakeys.com.