Pablo goes to see Skip

[Eastside_J]

I can't quite believe this news. I knew him as a unique voice and wit, very distinct style and personality. Very sad, he will be missed.
RIP Brian.

[xubuck]

For those of you out of town, the chapel was full this morning for the mass. Fr. Graham gave the homily, and Matt did a fitting eulogy that had us alternately laughing and in tears. Bagpiper escorted the coffin out of the chapel. Very impressive service.

[xeus]

Beautiful service. Great job by Matt. Man, those damn funeral bagpipes playing Amazing Grace get me every time.

[sash19]

I concur with Xeus and Buck-the funeral was a very fitting service for Brian. Matt did an excellent job of eulogizing his brother and I know Brian would have been happy. Sad day overall but to see some old faces and share Brian's life was at least a silver lining....

[muskieman]

Brian's nephew has Brian's smile...I hope he has his spirit.

Brian's brother said he wished that he could stay and talk longer and I am sure many agree. As he said Brain has probably negotiated the back door key to heaven to he can seek in many of us undeserving.

As we sang in the final commendation

Receive his soul and present him to God, to God the most high.

I am sure God has said enter my son, your job is finished.

Brian rip

[xeus]

The following is the eulogy given by Matt McCormick, posted here at his request:


All of the McCormicks thank all of you for coming here today. We would especially like to thank Fr. Graham, Fr. Bischoff, Fr. Putka, and Fr. McCarthy. You were the most important priests in Brian’s life and we are honored that all of you could be here to with us to honor my brother, Brian Dargin McCormick, and celebrate his remarkable, yet all too short life. Brian was a loving – and loved - son, brother, brother in law, uncle, relative, loyal friend, and proud Xavier graduate.

He and all of the McCormick’s have simply been amazed at the beautiful outpouring of love, support, and prayers for Brian and for our family. We ask you to continue to pray for Brian and for us…for we will need your help for a long period of time. I also ask you to pray to Brian. For he, as many of you know, will do whatever it takes to help you.

As many here knew and loved Brian, Brian is still getting used to the fact that he – of all people - is now actually an angle. I can see him; all dressed in white, with his huge Irish melon and his unruly, curly mop of hair, smiling incredulously with his grand grin trying to get his wings to work because Brian never … ever … read an instruction manual in his life and sure hasn’t started now.

This will be great for us, because you know Brian has already cozied up to St. Peter and convinced him that it really is a good idea to let Brian have the keys to the back gates for “security purposes.” We should all be able to get into Heaven now, considering Brian’s extensive experience smuggling friends into “exclusive” places like Xavier’s A-10 tournament suite at the U.S. Bank arena where Chief Couch and XU-50 are still trying to figure out how 10 “McCormick” family members were able to get in and loot all of the beer in under 15 seconds.

It is a shame that Brian truly did not know how much he was loved for he was always happiest at your success not his. I believe it is a strong testament to his character that Brian would give and give and never ask anything in return. I know Brian cannot believe that he genuinely touched this many people (gesture to the crowd) in so many, unimaginable ways.

We are simply amazed to have heard and read his stories via email or on the Xavier message boards that we, as his family, never knew about Brian that made us cry, laugh, or shake our head in stunned awe at Brian. Personally, they have been very helpful to me.

This seems to be the pattern for almost all of us to the shocking news of Brian’s unexpected death. We are stunned, do not believe the terrible news, and then begin to think of Brian. Soon, bitter tears turn to laugh out loud laughter as you remember Brian’s shenanigans, tremendous heart, and unbelievable stunts that only Brian could pull off. This is how Brian would want you to remember him. Do not shed tears for Brian, for as both Adam and Kerry McVey so eloquently stated; “Brian did not exist, he lived. He was like a bolt of lightning that lit up the darkness for a short, brilliant burst of colorful light. Yet his thunder still rolls on in our hearts.”

Brian loved to make everyone laugh. Granted, like all of us, Brian was flawed and had his fair share of dark days. He could - and would - drive all of us crazy. But, you always knew that Brian was in your corner. Though, Brian loved everything and everyone, if necessary, he would – and did – fight for you. If someone wants an example of this, or to know how much Brian loved me, just ask me or the McVeigh’s to tell you the “Keith” story that took place when Xavier played UCLA in Detroit for the NCAA’s. It is a beaut, but like many stories about Brian, it's not really appropriate for church.

If you knew Brian, you knew the three most important things to him where his family, his friends, and Xavier. Brian often said “Family is everything to him.” He frequently vacationed with us, had great meals together and would lovingly hang his cousin Justin on the door knob by his underwear. Brian was also a master of useless knowledge, was a sharp dresser when he tried, and believed he was the best go kart racer in the world. He would not hesitate to put anyone in the wall to win – including my mom – because he often said “rubbing was racing.” Brian was also a voracious reader, loved a bunch of really crazy music and movies I never heard of, and was a connoisseur of fine foods. He was also Irish and full of contradictions that he rarely acknowledged or easily forgot.

For example, Brian would call me up to tell me excitedly that “it’s Salmon night” on the Iron Chef. Yet, he truly loved Dana’s cheesy tater tots. Brian was a master prankster and loved to pull jokes on everyone. For example, at my bachelor party, Brian woke up many of us – some of whom may have been slightly over served the night before – by spraying everyone in the room with a fire extinguisher filled with carbon dioxide. Some thought it was really funny until they were sprayed with white foam and could not breathe because the oxygen had been sucked out from the room. True to the pattern of all Brian stories, people got mad at Brian, threw Bibles and other stuff at him, and now laugh out loud at the story.

Those of you that knew Brian closely, knew that he hummed when he was truly happy. He did not know he was doing this. He would often do this while he was eating and around family. He seemed to always do it on Christmas Eve while eating an entire can of foie gras by himself watching “The Christmas Story” with us and the Gunnoe’s. Please think of him the next time you are watching “The Christmas Story” or hopefully enjoying something so much that you hum with joy.

Brian was an international traveler having visited four continents and went to Asia over 25 times. Brian greatly preferred traveling with his family. One trip that stands out was our 1997 trip to Italy and France. In Florence, we enjoyed the sights and helped the economy. We also almost missed our flight to Paris. Brian – who could get a cab anywhere, anytime, and in any nation - took charge. He shepherded all five of us and our luggage into a four person cab and told the driver to get us to the airport right away and that he would get a large tip if he got us there on time. Using his best Italian, Brian kept encouraging the cabbie by shouting “bueno denario” and “grandee moolah.” We got to the airport in the nick of time. Brian, as usual, sprinted to the gate and left my Dad to handle the bill and the tip.

The next night we went to eat at the Jules Verne restaurant in Paris at the second stage of the Eifel Tower with our good family friend Jean-Pierre Sachet and his sister Anique. This is a Michelin two star restaurant which means my Dad got stuck with the bill once again. Brian was dressed superbly and wore a sharp suit and a smashing bow tie.

As many of you know, Brian worked in the toy industry and also loved to have the latest and coolest gadgets or toys. After our first bottle of wine and about half way through our meal, Brian spotted a very sophisticated party of four Parisians just sitting down next to us. Brian slyly popped his Billy Bob teeth (show teeth to crowd) into his mouth.

For those of you who cannot see them, Billy Bob’s are teeth only a dentist could love. They are fake teeth that are stained, rotten, and mold to your existing teeth and horribly distort how your face looks (insert teeth).

Well, Brian kept his cool and toyed with his French targets like a cat with a mouse. He sipped his drink with the teeth in. He talked to us with a straight face with the teeth in. He passed the bread and acted as normal as possible while the table next to us watched him the entire time with the teeth in.

We could hardly contain ourselves as we overheard our French neighbors discussing his horrible teeth and had to bite our tongues to stop laughing when we heard them say how “great it was for a special needs person like Brian to eat and drink in such a grand setting.”

One woman sat with her back facing Brian. She practically broke her neck trying to twist around and catch a glimpse of him and his teeth. Brian kept his cool and we were in absolute tears. Finally, one of the Frenchmen looked directly at Brian. Brian returned his stare … waited a second … and slowly … and deliberately … pulled his Billy Bob teeth out of his mouth and held them up so all could see.

Brian then gave him that famous Brian grin … The Frenchmen … recognizing he had been bested … tipped his hat to the master pranksmen who had won once again. We all laughed and many still wonder why the French view us as “ugly Americans.”

Brian also loved Xavier University, its vision, its people, and its Men’s basketball team. Like most of my friends and Brian’s friends, Xavier took a chance on us. They especially took a chance on Brian. Xavier admitted Brian under the now defunct bridge program and immediately placed him on “double secret probation” which I do not know if he ever got off of.

Brian blossomed at Xavier. He found life-long friends, embraced the college life and occasionally – and I do mean occasionally – hit the books. Brian, like me, enjoyed playing rugby for our school. One of his proudest moments was when he got called off the bench to play the “A” side game against UC which, as you know, is our biggest rival. Brian’s inspired play helped Xavier beat UC and received glowing press in The Xavier Newswire. I was, and am, extremely proud of him. Tragically, Brian’s rugby career was cut short due to all things - a fishing accident – where Brian dislocated his knee unsuccessfully trying to push a huge boulder into the water. Again, only Brian.

He often said “Xavier was the best thing that ever happened to me.” And, “I will always owe Xavier for what they helped me become.” One of the things he became was his notorious alter ego “Pablo.” Few knew Brian was Pablo and that was OK with him considering his infamous exploits and legendary antagonizing of the University of Dayton. Brian was his happiest after a Xavier win. He watched all this year’s NCAA games at our house and was ecstatic with our Sweet 16 victory over West Virginia and Bob Huggins. He left our house and went to Dana’s with some friends. Brian, as usual, bought drinks for many and had several orders of cheesy tater tots.

He was last seen hugging many people with sheer joy as he was leaving the bar. He stopped at the door… turned around … and shouted to the crowd at the top of his lungs … “Go XU!”

The last time I saw him was when he came over to watch the Elite 8 game versus UCLA where we and 25 friends saw an end to a great season. Though disappointed with the loss, he was proud of our team and looked forward to tomorrow’s banquet. Brian was telling stories, eating good food, and enjoying life. He was humming with joy. This was Brian at his happiest and I am certain he is Heaven with the other two Musketeers - Skip and Fr. Hoff – discussing the finer points of Guinness and when Fr. Hoff wants us to win a national championship.

If you could, just remember Brian the next time Xavier gets a special bounce, or an unforeseen break that allows Xavier to win - especially against UD. Know that Brian just got St. Francis Xavier to “see it our way” one more time.

Where’s Craig Hammond? Craig is a good friend of Brian and graduated with him from Xavier. They went together to Iceland and Amsterdam in September 2006. They came up with the brilliant idea to pose as movie producers who were scouting movie locations and casting actors – and especially actresses. They had fake business cards made up and even had a web site made called “I can’t believe I did it all dot com.” They were comped at bars, got upgraded rooms, and generally lived large.

The photo used in the obituary and seen as you came in was Brain’s favorite photo. It was one of the only photos his family saw from that trip. For you see, Brian found out Icelandic women are very beautiful … and their boyfriends are extremely jealous. Brian told me his mistake was answering “yes” to a huge “Drago” like guy who asked him “are you Brian the American?” For his honesty he was rewarded with a humongous black eye. He later told me that he should have said “no” and told Drago that Craig was “Brian the American.”

As you can guess, Brian did not let his huge black eye stop him from enjoying the rest of the trip. After getting some really strange looks from customs in the Amsterdam airport, they enjoyed the sights and the great restaurants. He, as only Brian could, found himself sitting next to movie and TV star Anthony Michael Hall at dinner. Brian ingratiated himself to the movie star by quoting him Anthony Michael Hall’s obscurest lines from 16 Candles, The Breakfast Club, and Weird Science. Anthony Michael Hall told him “Dude, those are some of the most obscure lines I have ever heard anyone quote back to me. But, who cares about them. What about your obscenely huge black eye?” Brian explained the Iceland story about the girl and jealous Drago boyfriend. Anthony Michael Hall laughed at Brian and with Brian and told him that Brian’s black eye was the “best he has ever seen.” He said Brian had a great story and only wanted to ask him one question. He asked Brian “was it worth it?” Brain said “absolutely…absolutely … I would do it all again.”

This personifies Brian Dargin McCormick. A great story; filled with exotic locations, unabashed fun, beautiful women, and partying with movie stars. Brian truly was larger than life.

Brian was also my brother. I was his confirmation sponsor. He was my Best Man, God father to my children and my best friend. Even though we often drove each other crazy, we had an unbreakable bond and would do anything for each other. He loved his family - especially his mom and dad – fiercely. He also had an alliance with my wife, Susan. This “alliance” was really an alliance against me.

I have a void in my heart and will mourn for him the rest of my life. The only thing that will help me - and my guess is most of you – bridge that void … is remembering Brian’s smile and laughing through the pain.

This is a quote from The Great Gatsby that perfectly described Jack Marty, my dad’s best man, at his funeral 25 years ago. I think it also perfectly describes my best man: “He smiled understandingly - much more than understandingly…It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four of five times in your life. It faced, or seemed to face the whole external world for an instant…and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor. It understood you just as far as you would like to be understood…believed in you as you would like to be believed in yourself…and assured you, that it had precisely the impression of you that…at your best…you hoped to convey.”

In Brian’s obituary, you were asked to honor Brian, by doing “it” today. Though unintentional, Brian probably is laughing at the double entendre of what doing “it” is supposed to mean. “It” … is supposed to mean those plans, conversations to loved ones, and activities that we all put off and think we will have time to do another day. These are the hopes and dreams of who we want to be that exist only in our heart and for whatever reason, we are afraid to make them reality.

Honor Brian by sharing a story about him that made you laugh. Honor Brian by hugging your family and friends and tell them how much they mean to you. Honor Brian by living the life HE wants you to live and do not put “it” off one more day.

We do not know why Jesus wanted him now. Yet, we know Brian is in a better place and he has told us he is safe. My guess is Jesus could not believe Brian actually did “it” all and called him to Heaven to help us do “it” all.

The last conversation Brian and I had were about Xavier basketball, Patrick’s soccer game, our family, and what he should wear to an upcoming date. I find if fitting that his last conversation revolved around family, friends, and Xavier. The last words Brian told me where “I love you all very much.” These are probably the best last words anyone of us would like to say to our loved ones if we could chose them … Brian did this regularly.

Brian, we know that you are here with us. We can feel you helping us. Know that we love you very much and we will never – and could ever – forget you.

I do not want this to end. It will make this all too real. With a heavy heart, I must, for Brian wants us to take on the day and to live.

Thus, until we met again my brother, may God hold Brian and all of us in the palm of his hand.

Thank you, and God Bless!

I LOVE YOU BRIAN!

[skyhops]

Incredible Eulogy, well said!

[The Blue Blob]

I was there as well and it was a beautiful mass and his brother did a great job. It was hard sitting there knowing that someone your own age had died (it really hit home), but it was more difficult knowing a friend had passes. Brian was great. He was someone who was always up for misdeeds. In a sad, but awesome way, one of the last things Brian did was bring us all back to the campus he loved. Godspeed McCormick!

[bbaker06]

That was a great eulogy that i'm sure was even better in person. My condolences go out to his family.

[CarlosTheJackal]

I was away for the long weekend and only caught this post today. I am stunned. Totally.

Pablo was so full of life. Some times he was full of it, but it was never half baked. Pablo and I jousted infamously for a while on this board, then just let it go eventually; but I liked the guy, the larger than life affable personality and wit. He was a fellow Muskie, and I am very sad at his entirely too early demise.

My condolences to his family.