Lloyd Dobbler...

One of Brian's favorite all-time songs was The Verve's "Bittersweet Symphony" and I know for a fact he'd have wanted me to hold up a boombox playing this song like Lloyd Dobbler in the movie "Say Anything" at the funeral, but I completely chickened out. I'm sorry bro.

Another Pic

A picture of Brian and some of the Gunnoes from a night at the Fox & Hound.

Another email from Brian

After reading Matt's post, I was reminded of how thoughtful and caring Brian could come across while exchanging emails. This is an excerpt from one of Brian's emails concerning a funny forward I had sent him.

I just got this from your sister you doucheb$*.......

Thinking of going to iceland and amsterdam in august

Yours in christ

Brian

Brian, U2, and being Irish.

Like most children of the ‘80’s, Brian and I felt it was our patriotic duty to watch as much MTV as possible. Given our Irish heritage – and the fact they were (are) an excellent band – U2 quickly became one of our favorites.

Brain and l would often discuss how “old U2” was the best and their newer stuff was "just OK."

These are his exact words because he repeated them often:

"I liked them better when they were young punks who were pissed off at the British."

What a typical “Brian” quote! It also personified him: brash, off the wall, politically incorrect, and amazingly accurate.

This story reminded me of an email Brian sent to us in 2007. I found it a few months ago and sent it to Susan and my parents. It was titled “gotta love the Irish!” and it brought a smile to my face.

“Bono is at a U2 concert in Ireland when he asks the audience for some quiet. Then in the silence, he starts to slowly clap his hands.

Holding the audience in total silence, he says into the microphone...."Every time I clap my hands, a child in Africa dies."

A voice from near the front of the audience pierces the silence and says for all to hear...."Fookin’ stop doing it then!"

Gotta love the Irish!

Brian helps a future teacher stay in school

June 30, 2009

Dear Mr. McCormick:

I am a Xavier University junior education major who made the dean’s list for the spring term (2009). I was the victim of a crime, and as a result had an emergency situation arise that would have made it impossible for me to remain in my classes during the summer term. The kindness and generosity that your family has shown me helped further my education. I will never forget your kindness. I wanted to write you this letter to let you know that what you are doing is important; I feel privileged to have been a recipient. Also, I am proud to be part of the Xavier family.

Thank you very much,

Name withheld

Happy July Fourth!

Happy birthday to our great nation!

Brian enjoyed every holiday. But, he especially loved July Fourth because he was a patriot and loved shooting off fireworks. Brian and I always thought my dad's coolest line was B.J. Allan. This is a fireworks company that sells Phantom Fireworks. We would always wait in gleeful anticipation for the delivery of a big box marked "CAUTION: CLASS "C" FIREWORKS DANGER!" Oh, we were in Heaven and practically started shooting them off as soon as we got them delivered by UPS.

One July 4th we started around 8:45 PM as it just got dark. Our next door neighbor was 132. She normally went to bed around 4:05 PM every day. We thought she might stay up a little later for obvious reasons. Brian and I started with something subtle called "thunder sticks." The booms in our neighborhood were massive and seemed to echo. Brian and I loved it. We were done for two seconds and quickly looking for our next thing to launch. It was quiet. All of a sudden, we heard Mrs. Davis say clearly "OH, MY GGGOOODDD!" We stopped what we were doing, started laughing, grabbed our stuff and ran like little girls. It was glorious. Then, I think, we went up to St. Charles and blew up the rest of our loot in the field in front of the church (not sacrilegious at all!) What a great memory.

I will think of you tonight Brian (and Mrs. Davis) when we launch the massive display of pyrotechnics from Phantom Fireworks.