R.I.P. @Bracconiere

[Hoppy2bmerry]

Of my dad and my uncles, maybe one of them is having a chance to enjoy his retirement.

One died young-ish from an accident and possibly a doctor's incompetence. One seemed to be in good health and kept working well past typical retirement age to maintain a certain lifestyle, and not long after retirement he got some rough news from the doctor. One retired because of a condition that was making it difficult to get around and do things. And another is a butthead who loves to mock and shout at certain people so I don't talk to him anymore.

Pushing all your fun vacations, whatnot, etc. until retirement is looking like a really bad idea to me. Use your time off and have some new experiences.

Okay I agree, having enjoyable vacations during one’s career years is a good idea. It’s easier for some and more difficult for others, but should be considered the fruits of our labor.
Now hear this, genetics are merely the blue print for our bodies. Genes that may make us more prone to a particular illness must be “turned on” so-to-speak to be expressed. Managing stressors and avoiding environmental toxins give us the best shot to keep them off. (Cliff notes version)
Be well!

 

[Kent88]

 

[sibelman]

a chance to enjoy his retirement

This was my main rationale for retiring earlier than planned. Not a choice for most (including Bracc, it seems). I feel very fortunate.

Pushing all your fun vacations, whatnot, etc. until retirement

Years ago I got a call from a friend whose husband had just retired. As they were preparing for their big post-retirement world travel, he became grievously and terminally ill. Her message to me: Don't wait!

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

This was my main rationale for retiring earlier than planned. Not a choice for most (including Bracc, it seems). I feel very fortunate.

Years ago I got a call from a friend whose husband had just retired. As they were preparing for their big post-retirement world travel, he became grievously and terminally ill. Her message to me: Don't wait!

Yup, same thing for me, retired two years earlier than my planned date.

I figured I could make more money, just couldn't make more time.

Not everyone can do it, but if you can, Do It!

 

[Kent88]

 

[Drinking Sensibly]

I jacked in working 9-5 when I was 53. Still do stuff for an income but only a few hours a week.

 

[lumpher]

Bracc's situation was a little different. I'd like to see this thread closed and locked to honor the man so it doesn't go all over the place.

 

[Nate R]

Bracc's situation was a little different. I'd like to see this thread closed and locked to honor the man so it doesn't go all over the place.

Hmmmm... while i don't disagree with the sentiment and the intent... i wonder...
What would Braccy want?
I feel like he was King of de-railing threads, but always with love and the best of intentions (albeit many ethanol fueled)... in that spirit, i would prefer this thread lives on... one can simply choose to ignore it, or one can come here, to HBT and this thread, in the spirit of good natured chat (perhaps with a beer or 4 in the belly) and commodority. As i often do.
Still miss you here, @braccy!

 

[Sammy86]

Bracc's situation was a little different. I'd like to see this thread closed and locked to honor the man so it doesn't go all over the place.

it’s @seatazzz thread and while i agree with your sentiment I believe like @Nate R said the thread should remain open and be as off the wall as our friend was.

 

[seatazzz]

Sorry kids been off the grid for a bit. Yes this is my thread and I want to keep it open. Haven't been here in a while due to some unfortunate family issues (my dad passed last week), but every time I log in I still remember those days of heading to the threads @bracconiere would frequent, eager to see what shenanigans he was up to. So please, leave it open.

 

[day_trippr]

Sorry for your loss, @seatazzz

 

[IslandLizard]

My condolences, @seatazzz

 

[Hoppy2bmerry]

Sorry to learn of your news, @seatazzz.

 

[Sammy86]

Sorry kids been off the grid for a bit. Yes this is my thread and I want to keep it open. Haven't been here in a while due to some unfortunate family issues (my dad passed last week), but every time I log in I still remember those days of heading to the threads @bracconiere would frequent, eager to see what shenanigans he was up to. So please, leave it open.

Sorry for your loss @seatazzz, may his memory be a blessing

 

[BongoYodeler]

Deepest condolences @seatazzz

 

[Chorgey]

I'm sorry for your loss, @seatazzz

 

[Broken Crow]

Sorry kids been off the grid for a bit. Yes this is my thread and I want to keep it open. Haven't been here in a while due to some unfortunate family issues (my dad passed last week), but every time I log in I still remember those days of heading to the threads @bracconiere would frequent, eager to see what shenanigans he was up to. So please, leave it open.

Sorry for your physical loss. Given the very nature of this thread, I'll preface this with my own long held belief that was well summarized in something I watched not long ago: "You're only dead when the last person who remembers you dies." That's one of the reasons I deeply appreciate this thread you created becuase a part of Bracc will live as long as this thread does.
Tell us a bit about your dad...particularly some life-lesson that you'd like to pass on for others, that came from him.

 

[doug293cz]

My condolences @seatazzz .

Brew on

 

[jcav]

So sorry about your father @seatazzz , my condolences.

John

 

[Kent88]

You have my sympathy, @seatazzz

 

[Jmspears]

Sorry for your loss @seatazzz. I lost my father earlier this year and it is not easy.

 

[BrewZer]

Sorry to hear about your father, @seatazzz , suggest you carry on brewing in his honor.

 

[seatazzz]

Thanks so much guys, I really appreciate it. My dad was living with alzheimer's related dementia for quite a few years, it's just been the last year he really went downhill fast. We had him on hospice since June so we knew it was coming, but it's never easy as aforesaid.

My dad is a big part of the reason I got into brewing in the first place. No, he never brewed himself, but he loved beer. One of my earliest memories is of him asking me to get him one from the fridge, and letting me have a sip; I was maybe 4 or 5. Not only did I want to be just like my dad (I was the tomboy of the family), I loved the taste. Soon every once in a while he'd pour about half an inch into a small glass for me. By the time I was in my early teens I could have a full one once in a while. I think this is probably the reason I was never one of those kids who snuck their parent's booze and ran with the 'wild' kids; I could have a beer any old time I wanted to. In the past few years I brought him one of my own every once in a while when I'd visit (hiding it from his caregivers who would have had a fit), and he was impressed that his daughter could make something so tasty.

The bad side of that, my father also was an alcoholic, in a bad way. We're pretty sure that his condition was exacerbated by years of drinking not only beer but hard stuff; he would go through a gallon of whisky by himself in less than a week. He wasn't a big guy. There were some issues, like falling down the stairs and showing up to family gatherings drunk off his ass. He never got a dui, though, for which I'm eternally grateful. There's more to the story but I won't get into it. Suffice to say, I've been concentrating on the good memories and shutting out the not so good ones.

 

[Kent88]

Not many would enjoy the results if they heard someone eulogize them warts and all.

My grandfather had a rough relationship with his sons after grandma passed away, and his mental faculties declined gradually as a result of dementia. There were a lot of years of hard feelings by the time he passed. It's difficult to look past that, for sure.

 

[JAReeves]

Sorry kids been off the grid for a bit. Yes this is my thread and I want to keep it open. Haven't been here in a while due to some unfortunate family issues (my dad passed last week), but every time I log in I still remember those days of heading to the threads @bracconiere would frequent, eager to see what shenanigans he was up to. So please, leave it open.

Sorry for your loss.

 

[seatazzz]

Was thinking about @bracconiere today. Don't know what brought it on other than a horrible day at a job that I'm starting to despise. I can't access anything fun on their limited internet (which, given some of the stuff I've seen here, is probably a good thing) but my last job I had carte blanche to pretty much go wherever I wanted to. Yes, I can use my phone, but my eyes are getting old and staring at a tiny screen gives me a headache. He would send me at least a couple of times a week a new youtube video of his favorite music (techno-swing I think it's called) and it always made me smile. Just a thought for the end of a nasty day.

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

Was thinking about @bracconiere today. Don't know what brought it on other than a horrible day at a job that I'm starting to despise. I can't access anything fun on their limited internet (which, given some of the stuff I've seen here, is probably a good thing) but my last job I had carte blanche to pretty much go wherever I wanted to. Yes, I can use my phone, but my eyes are getting old and staring at a tiny screen gives me a headache. He would send me at least a couple of times a week a new youtube video of his favorite music (techno-swing I think it's called) and it always made me smile. Just a thought for the end of a nasty day.

We could use a lot more techno swing!

 

[balrog]

And cowbell.

 

[Kent88]

 

[Erik the Anglophile]

I got you fam!

 

[Clint Yeastwood]

He was the forum's Boomhauer.

 

[Kent88]

I would disagree. I don't remember any episode where Boomhauer drank until he was sloppy. But I'm having trouble finding a different cartoon character that fit him better.

From the same cartoon:

I think Bracc had more self-esteem than Bill and less self control than Dale.

How about from his Avatar:

None of these guys strike me as Bracc-ish. Barney Gumble was more depressing than Bracc, and I just don't know much about the other guys, even Lenny and Carl.

Then there's

He's not outrageous enough to be Peter, suave enough to be Quagmire, or lawful enough to be Joe. Also, he's not a dog.

Idk.

 

[bwible]

This was my main rationale for retiring earlier than planned. Not a choice for most (including Bracc, it seems). I feel very fortunate.

Years ago I got a call from a friend whose husband had just retired. As they were preparing for their big post-retirement world travel, he became grievously and terminally ill. Her message to me: Don't wait!

I don’t know how I completely missed this thread. I saw a reference today posted in a different thread that said “the spirit of Bracconiere lives on”. ?? And I did a search today and found this.

I had limited interaction with him, mostly humorous exchanges as others have said. I read many of his posts about malting his own grains and putting them in the dryer and making his beer as low cost as possible. Lot of ramblings as others have also said. I wondered if English was not his first language sometimes. He had much knowlege and a great wit. Very sorry to find this out today.

Far as not waiting: I lost my first wife to cancer in 2013. She fought a 5 year battle with it. It started as breast cancer and had already metasticized into liver cancer before it was even discovered. She did multiple rounds of chemo. It then became bone cancer and finally brain cancer in the end. She was 50 by about 3 weeks when she passed. We were married 6 months shy of 20 years.

I was 53. After some time I did online dating. Met a wonderful woman who was also a widow. Her husband died in front of her from a massive heart attack.

Nothing will bring what’s important into focus more. We both understand that nothing is guaranteed. Nobody on their death bed ever wishes they worked more overtime, more weekends or holidays. In the end its all regrets - for the things you never did and now will never have a chance to do again. The vacation you never took, the fancy restaurant you always said you would go to, etc.

My wife and I make a point to get out and do things while we can. I retired at the start of this summer when I could at 63. I’ve had much more time to brew and do things I want to do. She should be retiring early next year. Don’t bankrupt yourself obviously but live life as much as you can.

Late to the game but I’ll drink to Braccionere

 

[seatazzz]

Hi everybody.

It's been just a little over a year since our friend left us. I'm still proud of this thread I started, that let us all see how much he affected our time at this place we call HomeBrewTalk. I may have forgotten to say this, but a BIG thank you to @Sammy86 for his help in finding out the facts. My husband's best friend, who was also a dear friend of my own, passed away on the day before @bracconiere did. He was a character larger than life, loved his beer, so I like to think that wherever they are, the shenanigans are on point. I'm raising a pint tonight to both of them.

 

[DuncB]

I was thinking it was Two years?

Came up in my mental reminder as it was a year after our son's cancer diagnosis.
He's well and I have a few bottles of braccs tripel I brewed still to go.

 

[seatazzz]

Yes, it's been two years already, damn time flies. Sorry, I'm getting older and what seems to have happened just a few weeks ago I come to realize was months. It's an age thing, I guess.

 

[ncbrewer]

Yes, it's been two years already, damn time flies. Sorry, I'm getting older and what seems to have happened just a few weeks ago I come to realize was months. It's an age thing, I guess.

Tell me about it.

 

[BongoYodeler]

Yes, it's been two years already, damn time flies. Sorry, I'm getting older and what seems to have happened just a few weeks ago I come to realize was months. It's an age thing, I guess.

You're not alone in that regard, it happens to me all too often.

 

[pvtpublic]

I'd say that if two years ago felt like weeks ago, he left a pretty good impression

 

[Dgallo]

I'd say that if two years ago felt like weeks ago, he left a pretty good impression

He was an absolute character of humor, brashness, and humility all rolled into one. A true pleasure to have in the community.

We learned of another passing of our community this year as well, @seanjwalker1. Ex Army Vet and great homebrewer