Patrick's Baptism

These are some pictures I found of Brian and the McCormicks at Patrick's Baptism. Notice Brian's ever-present goofy grin.

I remember he arranged for a bagpiper to play as the family walked out of the church. Nice memories.

Brian and Wesley Snipes

Somehow I started thinking about Wesley Snipes today and remembered Brian’s hilarious post on Xavier hoops about Snipes.

Brian and I loved "New Jack City" and watched it a thousand times. We would dissect the plot and discussed the inner meaning of what “bust a cap on the mowat” meant? (We think it involves champagne).

Brian also believed Wesley Snipes should have received an Academy Award for his nuanced performance as drug king pin Nino Brown.

Check out Brian’s wit and laugh at his “logic:”

The greatest actor of our age

Snipes has played more roles in the modern age than any other actor, if I am wrong let me know who has been in the same/more roles.

Football player

Basketball player

Baseball player

Boxer

Prison Boxing Champ

Drug Kingpin

Ex-Drug Dealer

Transvestite

Vampire

Jazz musician

Cop

Ex-Cop

Federal Marshal

Thief

CIA Agent

Ex-CIA Agent

United Nations secret agent

Secret Service Agent

Construction worker

Architect

Dancer (Michael Jackson "Bad" video)

Soldier

Ambulance Driver

Only Brian would think this deep about Wesley Snipes, take the time to research his roles, and post it on a Xavier message board. Yep, that is why we love him and miss his crazy, off the wall stuff that only he could pull off.

You're missed Brian

Another note of thanks

These notes never get old. In fact, they make my day!

Dear Mr. McCormick:

I recently received some of the Brian McCormick funds to help pay my tuition. Without this aid I would have been unable to pay my bills as I am solely supporting myself through school. I cannot begin to express my appreciation to you for supplying this fund in honor of your brother. Thank you so very much.

Sincerely,

Name Withheld

** You are most welcome. The Brian McCormick Memorial Fund is supplied by all of the McCormick's (not just me) and our family/friends. This type of fund was Brian's idea. We are just making his dream - and yours - a reality. Best, Matt **

"May God continue to use the generosity of Brian’s legacy to change lives in the same way you have changed mine."

What a great belated Christmas gift!  It appears the gift was received in December and the thank you note was delayed.  Letters like these define why Brian’s fund exists.  You know God has some serious plans for this young lady.

Dear McCormick Family:

May apologies for the tardiness of this note. I found it between the seats in my car. I thought I had mailed it with some other things. While, these sentiments are very much delayed, I assure you that they are still accurate and sincere. Your blessing is very much alive and will be in my heart and my prayers.

Sincerely,

Name withheld

Dear McCormick Family:

Merry Christmas! I hope that this card finds you well and anticipating a joyful holiday season. Thank you so much for a very unexpected gift from Xavier’s McCormick Memorial Fund. My family is referring to your gift as “my Christmas miracle” and there has never been a truer statement.

I look forward to the day when God allows me to express my gratitude by “paying it forward” by being a blessing to someone else to the same magnitude that you have blessed me. Your gift has enabled me to pay rent and buy Christmas presents for my brother and sister.

May God continue to use the generosity of Brian’s legacy to change lives in the same way you have changed mine.

My sincerest gratitude,

Name withheld

Prayer request for a friend of Brian and the McCormicks

The McCormick Family is asking The Xavier Nation to pray for one of their daughters who needs our help.

Rosellen Creighton is a dear friend of our family and is loved by my brother Brian (who really appreciated those sweet NCAA seats in Nashville). She is a huge supporter of Xavier and helped make our University what it is today. Her, and the Sisters of Mercy, are asking all of us to pray to Catherine McAuley for a miracle cure for Rosellen.

Please read her letter and pray the prayer below to Catherine McAuley for Rosellen. Think of it as a “three-fer”; Rosellen gets cured, Catherine McAuley becomes a Saint, and the Sisters are happy. Does anyone want mad Nuns? I don’t!

I know the Xavier “family” will help our own once again. This is why the Xavier Nation is truly great!

Thank you & God Bless you, Rosellen Creighton, and all fans of Xavier University!

Time to step it up Brian!

MM

Dearest Friends:

I desperately need your help. As we skip along life’s path, we occasionally trip over a pebble, or sometimes a large rock. Usually we fall, get up and get on with our journey with a minor scrape and sometimes stitches. Unfortunately, I have slammed into (as my grandchildren would say) a “ginormous” boulder.

For the past year and a half I could tell my body was not feeling like my body. After many tests and doctors’ visits I have been diagnosed with “upper motor neuron” disease…which qualifies as Lou Gehrig’s disease or ALS. It is incurable and there are no effective treatments. Life as I have known it has drastically changed.

My professors, mentors and friends from Edgecliff College, The Religious Sisters of Mercy, have presented me with something that is doable. Their founder, the Venerable Catherine McAuley, needs a miracle to be considered for Beatification – on her way to Sainthood. I want to be her miracle. I have enclosed information about Catherine McAuley and a prayer. Please open the card to the 8 x 10 size. This is where the prayer is. Please pray for my cure. Help me soar over this “ginormous” boulder.

Thank you all for your prayers. I appreciate every one!

Love, Rosellen

PRAYER FOR THE SICK
God of Love and Mercy
You inspired Catherine McAuley
To serve your Son
By responding to the needs of the sick,
We ask that through her prayers
You reach out with your healing prayers
You reach out with your healing love
And restore
ROSELLEN CREIGHTON
To full health,
We ask this in complete confidence
Through Jesus Christ, Your Son.
Amen.
Venerable Catherine Pray for us.

Brian would love this video

HIGH-FIVE SUPER BOWL! - watch more funny videos

I recently saw this video and I can promise you Brian would love it.

"Your plastic surgery looks great!"

As many of you know, Brian travelled often for his job in the toy industry. He went to Hong Kong and New York frequently and always seemed to find the “newest” and “best” five star restaurants. Amazingly, all seemed to serve foie gras.

Brian was in New York City for Toy Fair one year (2002?). He was checking in the Double Tree Hotel near Times Square and found himself right in front of TV newscaster Greta Van Susteren who was also checking in. Brian - used to interacting with celebrities - proceeded to talk to her like an old friend. Greta had just moved from CNN to Fox. She had also just had extensive plastic surgery.

Right before Brian was about to check in, he walked to the counter and said:

Brian: “Well, Greta it was a pleasure to meet you and talk to you. “

Greta: “It was nice meeting you.”

Brian: “Oh, by the way, your plastic surgery looks great! I mean really great.”

Greta: “Uh, thanks.”

Brian then checked in. While he was eating a complementary hot chocolate cookie, he realized he did not exactly end the conversation with Greta in the best way. He looked over to her and began to understand that her stony glaze may not be totally due to her recent surgery. Brian wrestled with the idea of apologizing and thought. “Naw, it’s too damn funny of a story” and left her alone.

Again, only Brian could talk to a celebrity and simultaneously charm and insult her without thinking. I mean, would any of us EVER say “your plastic surgery looks great” to a complete stranger or a celebrity?

Brian would and did.

I think of Brian every time I see Greta on the tube. My guess is you will too.

Many thanks from Brian's family!

Thank you all for your generosity.  We raised over $2,200 for Brian’s Memorial Fund at the second annual  “have a drink with Brian & 300 of his closest friends” fund raiser held on Saturday, January 16th.  The money raised goes directly to needy XU students in financial need. It really does make a difference.

BTW, Dana's had their best day ever – by 50%!  BJ even had to get more beer thanks to you booze hounds. Pretty cool how Coach Mack came up to Dana's and saluted the crowd (I gave him a cup). Will post pictures later and will also auction off more XU gear soon. 

Many asked me to post the inscription of this year's cup. Well, it did its job this year and here it is:

SIDE “A”

The second annual “have a drink with Brian and 300 of his closest friends”

X-travaganza!

BIG DAMN “X” XAVIER LOGO

Benefiting “The Brian McCormick Memorial Fund” that helps Xavier University students in financial need.

Thanks to Dana’s, XU, and 1290 WHIO’s “Flyer Feedback” Show

SIDE “B”

“Let's do it for Johnny - sweep the leg - and not let up until the final buzzer rings and the nectar of the gods is flowing from Dana's taps...Oh, and lots of tater tots - love those things. Go Xavier - beat ud... again...”

Brian Dargin “Pablo” McCormick

Thanks to all who attended. Many of you came from out of town. My family and I greatly enjoyed reminiscing about Brian and hearing about his many exploits. Though we all miss Brian terribly, we have to relish the great day we all had. We had great weather for the second year in a row. The good guys won, we raised a ton of jack and many beers were consumed in honor of our victorious Muskies – and Brian.

Brian is humming!

God bless you all!

P.S.  Here are some shots of Chris Mack visiting Dana's:

Announcing the SECOND annual “Have a drink with Brian & 300 of his closest friends”

Last year was a rousing success. UD was rightfully humbled once again and we raised over $3,000 for Brian's memorial fund that kept many Xavier students in school. Plus, a massive amount of beer was consumed by all.

Brian’s “feelings” towards UD have been well documented and will be dissected by historian’s/religious scholars for years to come. We thought it would be great to honor Brian by toasting him on this night of nights and drinking a beer or two (or eight) at Dana’s right after the XU/UD game on January 16th. The cost is $10 (plus $1 per beer after that) and you get a cup that magically replenishes itself with beer!

All proceeds will go to “The Brian McCormick Memorial Fund” at Xavier. This fund helps keep financially strapped XU students in school regardless of their academic record. Brian always wanted to start a fund like this. Through your generosity, at least 24 students are still in school thanks to Brian - and we are just getting started! Think of all the good things and how the world will benefit from these future Xavier graduates!

Join us. You know Brian would be (and will be) there! I guarantee it will be a blast and no watermelons will be allowed on the premises!

When: Saturday, January 16th, 2010

Where: Dana Gardens. 1832 Dana Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45207, 513.631.BEER.

Time: 1 PM until we are all kicked out

What: A night of fun, laughter, and beer before XU defeats UD once again. Honoring Brian and benefiting "The Brian McCormick Memorial Fund" at Xavier University.

Cost: $10 bucks (or more) gets you the commemorative collector's edition cup that will only increase in value. $1 for each drink after that gets you and all the tax deductible beer you can drink until closing time!

Contact Matt McCormick mmccormick@bahl-gaynor.comat for more information or if you can’t make the party and want a cup/donate.

Special thanks to Brian Hicks at Xavier, Chris Gogol for the facebook invite, and BJ (and everyone at Dana's) for all of their help!

Thanks and God Bless, the McCormick’s