Brian G. Ahern of Boston and Provincetown died unexpectedly in his sleep at home on July 25, 2023. The cause has not yet been determined. He was 58.

The youngest of five, Brian was born in Natick on Nov. 16, 1964 to the late David and Catharine (Garvey) Ahern. He was the charmer in the family, said his husband, Michael Grillo. He would offer to mow his aunt’s lawn, said Michael, but would end up drinking ginger ale while his aunt did the work herself.

“He had the charm of Tom Sawyer,” Michael said. “People loved being in his presence.”

In high school, Brian went to work at Sears in the automotive department, but it became clear that he was better suited to the home department. “He was great with curtains, sheets, and draperies,” Michael said.

He graduated from Natick High School in 1982 and attended Worcester State College but soon left to return to Sears. He earned a degree in interior design from Newbury College in 1990 and then worked in high-end drapery sales and interior design.

Brian took a job with Gap, launching a 30-year career in retail management. With the new job, he became interested in fashion. “He was always excited to open the new boxes of merchandise,” Michael said.

As the merchandising manager for both Gap and Banana Republic, Brian was the de facto interior designer for their retail spaces. He helped relaunch the Banana Republic store in Boston’s Copley Square by doing the flower arrangement.

After taking an early retirement buyout, he took a course at Rittners School of Floral Design. “He came home every day with a different flower arrangement,” Michael said.

Brian met Michael in 1997, and they began to vacation in Provincetown. They bought their house here in 2012.

Brian took a job as a florist at the Stop & Shop in Somerville in 2019. When the pandemic hit, he took a second job at Star Market. When Michael’s job required him to work remotely, Brian requested a transfer to the Provincetown Stop & Shop.

“He loved the people, and he did beautiful arrangements,” Michael said. “He did table pieces for restaurants and flowers for weddings. People recognized him in town as their florist. He loved flowers the way he loved clothes.”

He had a lifetime discount with Gap and Banana Republic, “and we have the closets to prove it,” Michael said.

Known as “Betty” among his Provincetown friends, Brian loved to tell stories; he could remember the smallest detail of what someone was wearing and what the place looked like, even if the thread of the story remained elusive. According to Michael, “He was not always right, but he was always certain.”

Brian was a big fan of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., went on Mediterranean and Alaskan cruises, and loved going to New York City twice a year to slake his thirst for Broadway shows.

Brian loved his time with family and friends, sharing beauty through flowers, and singing show tunes around a piano with an espresso martini in hand. An evening with Brian was a joyous celebration. He brought light and love into many lives.

Besides Michael Grillo, his husband and partner of 26 years, he is survived by two brothers, David Ahern and Kevin Ahern, both of Natick; two sisters, Kathleen Anderson and husband Carl of Marlborough and Colleen Evers and husband Gary of Stuart, Fla.; and his in-laws, nieces and nephews, and intersecting circles of old and new friends.

Brian was predeceased by his sister-in-law, Joan Ahern.

Services were held at the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home in Natick on Aug. 2, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick’s Church in Natick. Interment was private.

Donations in Brian’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer’s Organization.

For a guest book visit everettfuneral.com.