"Armand Assante"

If you were around Brian long enough, you would soon hear him give a toast. Sometimes it was thoughtful, witty, and profound.

My favorite toast from Brian was derived from our great family friend Jean-Pierre Sachet. "JP" as he is affectionately known would say "a votre sante" ("a-vote-tra-san-tay") which is French for "to your health."

Though Brian visited France and had several years of French in High School, he would readily admit he was mostly proficient at ordering off the menu at French restaurants and eating French food instead of conversing in the French language.

Brian choose to "translate" JP's toast into a more "Americanized" version:

"Armand Assante"

Armand Assante is an actor who is not French at all.

Next time you are about to give a toast around family and friends, remember Brian and say "Armand Assante."