ForeverMissed
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Long Ago...

June 13, 2011

 

I remember meeting Brian at Dempster Jr. High in Mt. Prospect with Jim Roach. As I remember back, Jim and Brian were the best of friends and made such a great team. Jim was more grounded and knew just how to keep Brian (and some of the rest of us) from going too far with some of our “fun”.
What I remember most about Brian was his love of music. He was more than an enthusiastic fan of REO Speedwagon , Rush and AC/DC.  Brian was more than your typical Jr. High aged fan. Brian knew and could recite details of the bands he followed. I knew about REO Speedwagon but had no idea about Gary Richrath or the impact of his incredible song writing or guitar playing on REO Speedwagon until I meet Brian.  Being around Brian you could not help but catch his enthusiasm about such subjects.  Each day on my drive home, I pass the property in Lansing, Michigan that was once the home of REO Speedwagon (the origin of the band’s name was tacking from a real vehicle made in Lansing, MI.) and I always think of Brian.
I also remember Brian as being an athlete most guys were envious of and admired. I don’t remember Brian ever playing a sport that he could not master. To us observers, it looked like it was something that was done with relative ease for Brian and that made the rest of us jealous.  It did not matter if it was dodge ball, baseball, football or skiing, Brian made it all look so easy and he always looked cooler than the rest of us too!
There was always a part of me when we were growing up that wanted to be as cool as Brian and be as good in sports as Brian and to be as popular as Brian. I don’t think I knew anyone who did not like Brian or who did not think that Brian was their friend. While I did not keep in contact with Brian after high school, I would here from time to time about his comings and goings and wished I had been around to say hello and share just a moment together.
I know Brian is in a better place and is making friends and enjoying himself and someday I hope I can share a moment and say hello.

10 speed and 12 pack

May 31, 2011

Brian taught me so much about music, movies, friendship and the meaning of life. One of my favorite memories, however, will be one whole summer that we'd get together, grab a 12 pack each and our ten speeds and then search the neighborhood apartment complex's for an invitation to their hot tub.  We'd park, sip and talk the philosophy of life, love and rock and roll. A true symposium. R.I.P. Bri, I love you brother. 

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