RIP-Brian. Brian was as real a person as it gets. He was a real-estate agent and a pastor and helped me when I needed some help doing credit checks on tenants and adjusting contracts. Richard McIntosh and I visited his home many times in El Sobrante where he and his lovely wife Kris always welcomed us into their home and treated us like one of the family. I especially liked how Brian had a love for animals and had some nice dogs, cat, and snake. Brian was a family man and had two boys and a girl and I watched him do his best to raise them with love, spirituality, and discipline from the time the kids were 8, 10, and 12 to now where they are in their early 20’s. Brian always kept the faith, had a positive outlook, and even a sermon as in his recent years he was a pastor and had a podcast.
The pictures above bring back so many memories for me; good ones. Brian was a great asset to UPSAC and he proved it time and again. He lead Rich and myself as he was the best talker and spokesperson. We were like the Three Amigos -you know, Chevy Chase. Brian was able to announce the events and conduct the raffles with expertise, and I thank him for that. He also was a good cook (as displayed at the many derbies), and an all around sportsman able to field-dress anything with great mastery. It was Brian’s idea to have a Xmas sturgeon derby (as his birthday and Rich’s were on the same day, December 14th). And we had one at various piers such as: Dumbarton, Eckley, Oyster Point, San Leandro, and Point Pinole. Even though a sturgeon was never caught at a single derby event, I will always honor this holiday season and remember Brian (and Rich) as I fish sturgeon in the winter (whether I catch or not).
Amen brother.