Tim Brich, Forever Friend

I've been trying to come up with the words to explain how much Tim meant to us, but am failing. I met Tim in May 1992, my first night working at Barry O's and proceeded to spend every day with him that summer somehow. He talked proudly of his friend Mick Wagoner, the "Jarhead" and then told me how Mick was going to come to Creighton Law School. I walked into Barry O's one day and Mick was sitting there and I told him Tim had told me a lot about him and it was great to finally meet him. In June 1994, I went to Barry O's (surprise!) after work one day and Tim and Mick were there and asked if I wanted to go to an Omaha Royals baseball game with them because they had Mr Toad's tickets. We went to the game, came back to Barry O's and Tim discreetly disappeared, letting Mick and I have our first date.

Tim was an easy, obvious choice for the Godfather for our first child, Audrey LeighAnn. His faith is strong and his love for his friends had no bounds. At Audrey's baptism luncheon, after his Dad, Deacon Jim, gave the blessing for the food, Abby, Tim and Jeanne's first daughter piped up, "Rub-a-dub-dub, Thanks for the grub, YAAAAAAYYYYYYY GOD!!!!" Tim gave her a smile and said, "That's what we do at home." :)

Tim kept in touch with Mick more than anyone. He called often. When Mick was deployed, he checked in with me. The Brichs sent a Build-a-Bear teddy bear to Audrey with Abby singing "God Bless America" in the music box in his paw after 9/11 happened. When Mick got back to the States, I often went to bed early on Monday nights because I knew that Mick and Tim had a standing "date" of watching "Big Monday" during basketball season via telephone. Mick loved Mondays!

Tim was the king of the nicknames. He called me ♪♫ Sususudio ♪♫ after the Genesis, or was it a Phil Collins, song. Mick was "Jar" until he was selected for Lieutenant Colonel, but then became "Kernel." Tim was so proud of Mick! He called Audrey, "Audio" and when our sweet Olivia was born, he informed me that he was going to call her "Ole" like the Norwegian old man. :)  

I was pregnant with Claire when Tim was first diagnosed with cancer. It got bad quickly and the night we got the call that he was airlifted for surgery because it had spread to his brain, I prayed all night long. I would fall asleep and then wake up and pray and back to sleep again. I envisioned Lance Armstrong and prayed that a miracle would happen like it did for him. I told God that I knew it was already a "done deal" if our baby was a girl or a boy, but I told him that I really wanted a boy so I could name the baby after Tim. Thomas Timothy would have been Claire Cecelia's name.

I love his wife Jeanne and his daughters Abby and Allie so much. We had a wonderful five days with them this summer at the Wagoner family farm in Wood River. Such strong girls, living for so long with such heartache.

Tim's body is at rest, but his spirit will never be forgotten. I wish so much we could have been at his rosary, wake and funeral, but I want to thank Mick's Dad  as well as Mick's sister Katy for going to Denver to represent us. Katy read Mick's remembrance.  I believe Nico is planning on going to the Omaha reception and I know Tom will be there again.  Tom told Mick that Audrey was listed on the program as one of Tim's Godchildren and that the Godchildren brought the gifts to the altar. Mick was an honorary pall bearer.

I want to share Katy's e-mail that she sent to Mick and Nico this morning and then Mick's eulogy. I miss you Brichhead. Thank you for introducing me to Mick and giving me the life that I love today.

----- Original Message -----

From:Katy

To: "Nicolette Wagoner"; "Mick and Sue Wagoner" <wagspartyof6@gmail.com>

Sent: Saturday, March 26, 2011 12:11 PM

Subject: Reflecting

As siblings, on Tim's funeral today - it was pretty amazing the short time I was present.  Jeanne embraced and said that Tim always felt like we were his younger sisters.  Every person there mentioned Mick.  Mark (whose flight was delayed and came in right as mass was starting) sat next to me and Dad.  As the mass started they brought Tim out in the coffin with Jeanne, Abby, and Ally behind, it was almost too much to bear as I broke down and Mark held my hand yet wiped away tears himself and I saw Twags red eyed (actually he was the whole 24 hours there)....

"The Boys" from Prep are so awesome and were so strong yet so sad and Mick was so there as they truly reflected on the group.

The message of the week is we were all so lucky to know Tim and he has given us not only great memories but great inspiration to live our lives in the best way possible.  I love you Mick and Nico and so did Tim, he truly felt like he was one of us!

Tim’s Open Mic

Greetings everyone. Jeanne, Abby, Allie, Jim and Donna and all the family and friends of Tim that are here today. I’ve asked my sister Katy to pass on my words about Tim. It is a testament to the magnitude of events here in Japan that are keeping me from being there to celebrate this man’s life with you.   I feel a bit like I am writing a graduation speech that should have a theme, advice and a bit of humor that maybe will light a spark in someone, but the truth is, Tim did that already. 

I know there are some funny stories being told and through social media we have been able to read some of your stories already and many brought memories flooding back. Stories about his older brothers he looked up to, Barry’s O’s and rugby, and moving into adulthood i.e. when he met Jeanne. I have added some of mine on Facebook or in emails so I wanted to reflect here on a more somber thought, what Tim taught me. 

We all know Tim as the self deprecating joker who could make us laugh, he could and did, but underneath the clown was a teacher and coach. The coach can be spoken to by his teams and of the ones I’ve met, they are a testament themselves. But as a teacher and friend, Tim quietly led by example and some of the lessons he taught he had to learn the hard way. 

When he was injured in sports, he didn’t whine or blame others, he rehabbed for months and even learned to play other sports…Flexible

When he was searching for a course in life in his mid 20’s, he was always there to offer support for others as we were finding our own paths for ourselves and he was our biggest cheerleader…Thoughtful 

When he was scraping by working 2 or 3 jobs, he would always want to buy the first round of beers…Generous
 

When he was in McCook and his baby was crying all night long and Jeanne had to work, he learned that there are some things more important than yourself and when you have to dig deep, you can.  No one can do that work that you are tasked in life to do…Responsible

When Texas beat Nebraska at anything, he still loved me, just seeing if you all had fallen asleep yet ;-)

 I only found out a couple of years ago Tim’s true hatred of the Texas Longhorns, but he kept it from me for years because he cared…Considerate 

When he was diagnosed with cancer, he didn’t quit, he didn’t mope, he fought, and fought, and was fighting last week.  You don’t have to be on a battlefield to show courage, I’ve seen both examples and Tim’s battle was longer and harder than any I’ve seen in my job…Courage 

When I saw Tim 7 weeks ago, he was apologetic and concerned about me and my family.  Humble almost to a fault…Caring

Yes, Tim was a teacher to me and a definition of tenacity, along with all these other words that describe his short 29 years with me.  From the locker room at Prep where we met in August 1982 until Today, Tim has left an indelible imprint on me that I hope I am up to the task to share.

Susan and I were the beneficiaries of his largess and owe much to him. Our debt cannot be repaid but his legacy will not only run through those three special ladies of his but our 4 as well including his goddaughter Audrey LeighAnn.

A toast to Tim because I told him I would and he would do the same for us.

God bless Tim, Jeanne, Abby, and Ally and all of you as well.

Semper Fidelis,

Mick