One for the Road: Labor Day Picnic

Didn't want to leave on a down note! Labor Day weekend is synonymous with Clarence Center in the minds of many, and the time spent at the park is treasured! This is recycled from 2009:

 A few days ago I had shots of Friday night before the festivities at the Clarence Center Labor picnic weekend began. Here are they are again compared with the same spots right after the parade (the beer tent is still filling up).

The entrance at Clarence Center Road and Long Street:



The Midway:



The beer tent:



Thanks to the Clarence Center Volunteer Fire Company for the eagerly anticipated and enjoyed Labor Day Picnic, and to firefighters everywhere for their dedication and service to the community.

Turn the Page

Obviously, I haven't been into writing the blog for quite some time now, so I'm going to take the suspense out of it and shut it down. "Hiatus" gives the impression that I'll be back, so I'm not going to play around with that, although I have no plans for removing the blog itself from online. Even though the common wisdom is that internet means forever, unless you're an IT person it can be very difficult to find anything ever again once you've slipped from search engine algorithmic settings!

I had been tossing around the closure for a while, and as recently as a few days ago, when the picture below came to my attention...sort of cemented it for me.  The upcoming Labor Day weekend plays into it in its own way too.

Its been almost 40 years since I moved away from Clarence Center and into Buffalo, and I've never regretted it. As such, I may be interested in the long ago history, but current events, not so much. I can toss out opinions that are guaranteed to piss people off, but why bother? It's not mine anymore, hasn't been, and isn't going to be.

Labor Day in Clarence Center is when many of us get together again, one weekend out of the year, and it's great to see everyone again! Of course, some see each other all the time, and that is good. Others I see from a distance, people I haven't spoken to in many, many years. They still hold a place in my heart, but we've all moved on. Such is life.

I'm not retiring from work yet (unfortunately, but yet fortunately, I can), but one never knows. Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans, and all that.

I find that most of the topics I want to write about, I already have. Opinion hasn't changed much either, so it has become rather stagnant...Buffalo rocks, the Bills  are in chronic "next year", and been hoping Ruff would get the ax for years over in Sabreland. I'm still a Democrat in philosophy, although politicians themselves can enthuse or deflate, regardless of which logo they are wearing.

Ironically, I'm still writing, but doing it the old fashioned way via paper and pen, rather than leaving scribbles all over the internet :) 

I've been traveling in a different direction for a while now...The blog is part of the old, and sometimes one needs to make the declaration that it's past time to cut the cord, rather than leaving it as somehow implied. It's time!

Thanks for reading -it's been real :) Peace, love, light, and laughter to you all!

Curtis Lipke - RIP

Clarence alumnus ('72) Curtis Lipke passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer. We had not been able to locate him, but I'm sure we would have sent notes had we known. Rest in peace, Curt...

From the Salt Lake Tribune:

Guest Book

• "my deepest sympathies....its very sad and sobering when..."

View Sign

Curtis Wesley Lipke
1954-2012
Curtis Wesley Lipke, 58, of Salt Lake City, Utah, passed away August 3, 2012 in his home surrounded by family and friends, after a heroic battle with pancreatic cancer that lasted three years and eight months. During that time, he not only found ways to have a wonderful quality of life, but also was an inspiration to everyone he encountered. His strength of mind, body and spirit carried him through his battle.

Curt was born July 6, 1954, and raised in Buffalo, New York, in a family of four brothers and one sister, with loving caring parents, Dr. Ken and Patricia Lipke, who taught them principled values and a strong work ethic. Curt graduated from Clarence Central High School. 

An avid competitor and extreme athlete most of his life, Curt realized in his early teens that he had a tremendous passion for skiing. He quickly perfected those skills and became a ski instructor at Bluemont Ski Area outside of Buffalo. It was only fitting that skiing should play a major role in his decision about college, which took him to the University of Utah amidst some of the best skiing in the country. 

Curt's love for skiing and his fondness for Utah made it difficult to return to Buffalo after graduation in business studies at the University of Utah, but he went back and joined his family business, then called Gibraltar Steel Corporation. He applied himself diligently to his career and worked his way to become divisional president. The company was publicly traded in 1983 and Curt was elected to the Board of Directors.

His love of skiing and Utah were always on his mind and, receiving some good advice from his mother, he decided to follow his dream and return to Salt Lake City.

Curt was always very athletic and competitive, and in addition to skiing and ski racing, he thrived on endurance sports, competing in triathlons and taking second place in the World Seniors Games. His passions also included mountain bike races, road races and foot races. He spent many years enjoying the outdoors and participating in everything from riding his Harley to jumping doubles on his motor cross bike. He is a graduate of the Skip Barber and Spring Mountain Race Car Driving Schools.
Many marveled at his ability to continue competing and winning events during his battle with cancer. One of his many mottos was, "Pain is just weakness leaving the body."

Doctors at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital, where he received treatments, often called on Curt to speak with other patients. He was able to provide support and guidance and to demonstrate that, yes, you can have a high quality of life even while battling cancer. He took great pride in helping other patients.

Curt is survived by his beloved wife, Linda Mulkey, his mother, Patricia Lipke, brothers Neil (Shannon), Eric (Janine), Brian (Debbie) and sister Meredith, nieces Carlisle, Katie, Elissa and Erica, nephew Kenneth, and canine kids Sally and Alvin. Curt was predeceased by his father, Dr. Ken Lipke, and his stepdaughter Lauren Elizabeth Mulkey.

Curt and Linda were two angels, drawn together to help each other survive some of the greatest challenges life can bring us, including the sudden death of Linda's daughter Lauren and Curt's journey with cancer. Together they enjoyed life to the fullest with their dogs, skiing, trips to Las Vegas, and sharing their lives with so many friends.

Lauren absolutely adored Curt, as did all of her friends. They have stayed in Curt and Linda's life and remained close throughout Curt's illness.

The family wishes to extend tremendous thanks to all of the dedicated doctors and staff at the Huntsman Cancer Center and the huge outpouring of care, concern and love from their friends.
Curt knew what it took to be a friend, and because of that, he had many. He will be forever in our hearts.

A memorial service to celebrate Curt's life will be held at 11:30 am on Wednesday, August 8, 2012, in the Courage Theatre, Jewett Center, at Westminster College, 1840 South 1300 East, Salt Lake City. Curt requested that everyone who attends, please wear bright-colored or Hawaiian shirts.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Huntsman Cancer Institute or Intermountain Therapy Animals. Online condolences may be sent at www.larkinmortuary.com.

Gail Seiler Kohler RIP

Clarence alumna ('70) Gail Seiler Kohler passed away June 28, 2012. Rest in peace.

KOHLER - Gail R., R.N. (nee Seiler) July 28, 2012, daughter of the late Robert G. and Ruth M. Seiler; beloved sister of Jeff (Sandra), Scott, Greg (Tina), and Susan Seiler; loving aunt of Sam and Robert Seiler; dear goddaughter of Shirl Rosengart; beloved owner of late Labrador Retrievers KC, Princess, Quaker, Dottie, Guinness and Winston. A memorial visitation will be Tuesday 3-8 PM at SHEPARD BROS. FUNERAL HOME, 10690 Main Street, Clarence, NY. A private funeral was held. Memorials may be made to SPCA of Erie County. Gail was a longtime employee of Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital.

Charles Cashmore RIP

Clarence alumnus ('66) Charles Cashmore passed away on July 27, 2012. Rest in peace.

CASHMORE - Charles R. July 27, 2012, dearest father of Lindsay (Mario) Seggio and Matthew F. Cashmore; devoted son of Laura (nee Lanthier) and the late Robert C. Cashmore; dear brother of Curtis (Janis) and Chris (Patty) Cashmore; former husband of Jill Northway. The family will be present on Sunday from 7-9 PM and Monday from 3-7 PM at the (Harris Hill Chapel) AMIGONE FUNERAL HOME INC., 8440 Main Street (near Harris Hill Rd.), where a Memorial Service will follow at 7 PM. Friends invited. Flowers are gratefully declined. If desired, memorials may be made to the S.P.C.A. serving Erie County. Please share your condolences at www.AMIGONE.com

Remembering Jerry Gorman / Walk to Defeat ALS 2012

It was 4 years ago today that Clarence alumnus ('74) Jerry Gorman passed from this world to the next. ALS  had taken its deadly toll yet again. I would say "rest in peace", but even from the other side he is urging anyone even remotely connected with him to stay involved in the Walk to Defeat ALS! For those unfamiliar with the disease:

"Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease," is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed."

Yet the brain remains totally active, totally cognizant of the here and now, just helpless to do anything about it. No blissful unawareness here.

I was only in contact with Jerry as the end drew near, yet I can say with near certainty that his main concern was not for himself, but the suffering his family was going through as they stood by helplessly, praying for some kind of last minute miracle medical breakthrough.

Jerry also wanted people to become aware of ALS and its seemingly random strikes into families everywhere. He wanted people to know that they are still searching for a cure, or even a way to alleviate the devastating symptoms. He wanted so desperately for other families not to go through what his own has.

Jerry was asking that we support the Walk to Defeat ALS.

Jerry's sister Rose again is the captain for Jerry's Journey, one team among many at this years Walk to Defeat ALS on August 4th in Delaware Park. She is also the co-chair (along with Diane Piegza). From her walk page (where you can donate, if you will):

"He was so brave when he faced ALS.  He didn't complain nor did he pity himself.  Jerry was out partying at Thursday in the Square shortly before he died.  He wanted to live his life to the fullest for as long as he could. He took the bull by the horns and tried to do what he could for his friends and his family to help all of us deal with his illness.  Then he took up the cause for those who were afflicted with ALS and those who were not yet diagnosed.  He fought hard and never gave up.  He cheered us all on while we tried to raise money for our walk team and he was sending us all emails till the very end to bring it home! 

We need to bring it home again this year.  Please help us continue Jerry's Journey.  Anything and I mean ANYTHING you can do to help is greatly appreciated. I was lucky to have been able to tell him what he meant to me. He was my hero, my big brother, my protector. I always looked up to him and idolized him and I will never forget him.  I ask you to never forget him as well!"

Please donate!! Or join the team!!  Do it for Jerry and for all those who have passed before from this dread disease and will continue to do so before they find a cure ...he would have done it for you!

Old vs New - The Saga of the Peace Bridge Houses

My grandmothers were about the same age, but led different lifestyles and had opposite opinions when it came to the subject of old versus new.

On one side of the family, that grandmother enjoyed rescuing antiques and refinishing them to their former glory. Interestingly enough,that grandfather enjoyed emerging technologies and they had an early color television., even though they were not wealthy. They respected the role of their past, but were not adverse to looking towards the future.

On the other side, my paternal grandfather was very, very frugal. This translated into that grandmother using a wood-burning stove into the 1970's. While it may horrify those into all things rustic, as soon as that grandfather died, grandma threw out that stove, along with the wringer washer, and other way out-dated appliances.  They represented "old", and she was eager to move on. No nostalgia there, because for her, it had not been an option.

Sometimes it seems that the current and long standing debate about the Peace Bridge area and the houses that have been left to rot is a lot like that...those who see beauty in things and places that have existed before the current generation (or early in one's own life), and those who have nothing but scorn for all things that are not shiny new, like they had been forced to wear second hand or homemade clothes growing up and are now hell bent on being consumers of the new, no matter what the price in heritage or real dollars.

All of that brings me to the saga of the Peace Bridge houses. I totally get that people outside the City may not care, either because it's not their backyard, or because thinking about anything city related brings stress (real or imagined). What I don't understand is outright hostility by some. If they're in the construction industry and are hoping jobs come their way instead of to out of state companies (as is likely), they have a stake in this, but most don't.

Let me reframe this in a manner that the people along Route 219 or anywhere near the airport already understand. Say that you live in a house that is located somewhere in the vicinity of a thruway or an airport or whatever, that may have had some distant disadvantages, but the pluses outweighed them. Everything could even have been peachy-keen with no storm clouds in sight, for that matter. Suddenly a government entity comes sniffing around.

This here "Authority" has decided to build, expand, or do something that will drastically alter the complexion of your neighborhood. The home that has been in the family for generations, or the historical treasure that you have lovingly restored, or the dream new build, or the merely comfortable home that you have come to love, is threatened. What now?

Selling out to the powers that be is probably not even an offered option. Selling it anyone at all is now problematic. The disruption, pollution, and what have you will now destroy your neighborhood and there's not a whole lot you can do about it but protest, and try to force people to listen and to imagine that it can happen to them...because it can.

Government can use eminent domain or the stealth approach, where it buys out properties that are in the way and proceeds through outright demolition or allowing decrepitation until some neighbors buckle under the stress, but the results are the same. The process can take many years, and for just as many years the interested parties keep going at it, while those on the "outside" roll their eyes and call out seemingly oppositional terms like "obstructionists" and "economic development", like they think preservation and progress can't go hand in hand.

In a (very large) nutshell, that's what the conflict about the Peace Bridge houses is about (that, and taxpayer dollars being used for private gain aka the Duty-Free store). This picture, which I just blatantly borrowed from Facebook, is version of the undercover proposed plans. Notice the Hutchinson Chapel being rendered inaccessible:

To quote from the Campaign 4 Greater Buffalo "There are alternatives. The neighborhood can be restored, the Peace Bridge can have more inspection booths and smoother flow, and everything can be linked to an enhanced waterfront and rebuilt Porter Avenue."

Where does it stop?  It CAN happen to you.

Rally for Prospect Hill (name of Peace Bridge area) Part II tonight at the Armory Restaurant (a former silent movie house until 1916), 311 Connecticut Street 6-7:30pm...come, listen, and learn!

Theodore Redlein - Forest Lawn

Many times I have walked by the cenotaph (person buried elswhere) erected in Forest Lawn in memory of Theodore Redlein. It is close to a roadway, so I was sure that he would get a flag on Memorial Day, but I bought a small one, just in case. Nope, so I stuck it in the ground, thinking maybe I should have spent a few more quarters on the next size up...

The boy scouts and other volunteers put in place hundreds of flags in the more traditional burial area for those who have served, so maybe this being on the other side of the expanse is why it wasn't on a list.  Wouldn't have been the only one. Maybe because he's actually buried in Belgium. At any rate, it was just something I felt a need to do.  Later on I went by and the urns had been filled with geraniums!

Again, don't know if this was another walker/jogger, family, or there are arrangements with the cemetery to take care of this. However it worked out, he now is definitely remembered! Later, I went to the store to pick up a larger flag.

I also found some of his background online, including this:

Thank you for your service Lt. Redlein, and for giving your life....

1812 Mound in the Meadow 2012

The War of 1812 is all the rage now, as well it should be. The war started 200 years ago this week and Western New York was a large part of it. As I wrote last year, there are 300 soldiers from that war buried in the middle of Ring Road, Delaware Park....about where hole #4 of the golf course is.

Last year Steve Cichon lead a processional out there to honor the soldiers buried in the Mound in the Meadow.  This year he spearheaded an additional memorial which ended up being placed outside the Zoo as it borders on the Park (the now closed gate #7, I think).

Good spot, really. As soon as you see it, about face, and there's the original boulder in the near distance.

After the ceremony dedicating the marker, we had flags to put around it, but it didn't seem right. So I asked Steve if we were allowed to go out to the monument, and he didn't see why not, seeing as it's a public park, Memorial Day, and those are war dead out there. That viewpoint may not have been universally shared (especially by golfers and their groundskeepers), but off we went. Started as a trickle, and turned into a steady stream.

The War of 1812 reenactors marched out too. Would have been even cooler if a fog had swirled in, but, as it were, they were impressive crossing the greens, and paying tribute.

Next year we should have a 21 gun salute, not that I know the proper procedure for 200 years after the fact. All the runners/walkers/joggers might hit the dirt too.  Maybe a few fireworks instead :)

771 Busti (part 2), A House by the Peace Bridge

Quite a while back I wrote about the Wilkeson House at 771 Busti, along with several other homes. They were purchased (after some browbeating and implicit threats) by the Peace Bridge Authority in order to build a parking lot, and then left to rot. So, of course they are vacant, boarded up, and deteriorating! That was part of the plan!

In 1980 771 Busti was lived in and loved...

...by 1996 it had been bought and boarded, with others soon to follow, and the rest is history, but not the good kind....A few weeks ago the chain link fences went up...

Just looking at the property records, it seems that there was quite the turnover in the effected houses starting in the late 80's to people who then sold out...wonder if they knew something in advance? No way of proving it, and real estate speculation is as old as the land the PBA covets.

Speaking of which, down at the end of the block at the corner of Busti and Massachusetts sits the former Episcopal Nursing Home.

Not all that long ago it was filled with people...than unfounded rumors started that the place was going to go down along with the houses. People panicked and didn't chose for their loved ones to reside there. Others moved while they still had a choice. Soon the owners were all stressed and declared they had to close...well...they managed to build a spanking new place out in the 'burbs, although I don't think many, if any, of their former residents followed.

And then they waited, and waited, waited for the buy-out that never came.  Meanwhile they quit paying on loans, taxes, and other financial things specific to that building.  But then the governor tossed some $15 mil in a Peace Bridge related pot and said use this for whatever (wink wink)...Wow...that just about covers any liens and a good chunk of demolition (people who think demo's don't cost any taxpayer money are sadly deluded)...Coincidence? I think not.

To the rescue came Mayor Byron Brown...thank you Mayor...urging restraint, however temporary that may be. Also, the Campaign 4 Greater Buffalo rode in and obtained a court order for a stay of execution, pending further review. Thanks!  What I would like to see is the PBA be held liable for the dereliction of the houses and ordered to restore them. I won't hold my breath though.

I still worry about the Hutchinson Chapel too, connected to the Episcopal Home by a walkway...

Supposedly it will be saved, but moved. It's historic where it is, not somewhere else! Building the shiny new duty free store around it might be awkward though...sort of like Trico Plant#1 being built around the Weyand Brewery.  Maybe they'll move it next to its mother church, St. Mary's on the Hill...oh, wait...City took care of that already...maybe on the vacant lot where it once was. Meanwhile the Episcopal Church, one time owner of all, looks at the sky and whistles off key...

Despite what the unknowledgeable prefer to believe, there are a lot of beautiful sections of the City of Buffalo, some large and others small. Prospect Hill (the name of the area) is one of them...for now anyway.  By the time the PBA gets done it'll be a big parking lot and another duty free store. Is that number 3 or 4? The last one they built is only 7 years old...

...but that's considered progress, Buffalo-Style.

Bethlehem Steel

The last few days I've been hanging around just over the Buffalo border in Lackawanna, site of one of the last remaining vestiges of the days when steel was king and tens of thousands of people were employed in the mills. The work was hard, dirty, and very dangerous, but yet provided a steady paycheck, and a better life.

When the mills started shutting down, those who apparently could not land a job in any of the factories took up the company stance that the wages were too high. But people were getting sick and dying, and instead of shrugging it off as part of the job, they were starting to wonder why the plant didn't do more to protect the workers.  Environmental standards were making an appearance, and it was cheaper to import foreign steel, where standards in air quality, worker safety, and wages were/are non-existent.

As long as the administration building stands, it's not too late. Call the Mayor of Lackawanna and express a preference for repair and preservation instead of demolition with no plans for the vacant lot.  Lackawanna has a lot of those.  Of course, not everyone feels that way. Some see it as a symbol of promises not kept, capitalist greed linked with disregard for the common worker, jobs gone that will not return. Tear it down...like they'll ever forget.

These last few days it's been like a vigil, with people coming and going in shifts. Some are preservationists, both those who have been adamant about saving and preserving history and heritage for a while now, .and those younger, awakening to what is around them and what it means.

Then there are those who spent part or maybe a good portion of their lives in the mills. Some reminisce, some just come and look, perhaps taking a mental roll call of their co-workers...how they were then...how things are now...

There are places I'll remember

All my life, though some have changed

Some forever, not for better

Some have gone, and some remain

All these places have their moments

With (people) and friends I still can recall

Some are dead and some are living

In my life, I've loved them all...

It's not living in the past...it's respecting the past, our heritage, our history, and looking to integrate it as we move forward.

Forest Lawn Wildlife and Still Life

So, continuing on with the subject of Forest Lawn...What?  It's been a few months? Time flies...and so do Canadian geese...While WGRZ has a goose watch cam set up on their site of a goose nesting in a sculpture around Mirror Lake,I've had a few goose run-ins myself, the first being the most memorable.

So there I was, walking briskly and minding my own business, when suddenly to the right of me I hear this loud sound, like a helicopter "whoomphwhoomphwhoompph" and I freak out a bit and end up somehow standing on one leg with my arm around my head, all kind of curled up in a protective stance, like that would have helped.  A guard goose! I yelled at him that he was being rude and tried to walk away, but made the mistake of turning my back..."whoophwhoomphwhoomph"...Geesh!! I backed away after that, keeping an eye on him.

The next day I came back with my camera. I'm prepared.  However, come to find out that as soon as I heard the sound and whipped around, the goose got all casual...well, except for the neck thing...that means he's got an attitude...

...also vocalizes said attitude a bit when he decides to try the in your face intimidation routine....

A step in his direction though, and the casual act returns...until I turned my back....Put it this way...he's fast...but maybe you get the idea...

A few weeks later maybe I finally found the urn he was protecting, and everyone had flown the coop...he did a good job distracting me, that's for sure.

Meanwhile, the past few days have seen eggs hatching all over the place.  I saw at least 5 goose families around and about...

...the ducks just hanging out, watching the festivities...

One time the resident deer accompanied me for quite a while as I was walking about, but I didn't have my camera...rarely do when I see him...

Some wild turkeys were hanging around in the Fall...cars do not impress them...

Also saw a groundhog, then saw his burrow, and finally saw him peeking out...with the zoom on the camera! Not sticking my face that close!

Nearby, some still life...

...somewhat similar, a sphinx is in another section...

...and as long as I'm posting pictures from Forest Lawn, the headstone of Edward Austin Kent, who perished on the Titanic...

....that overlooks Mirror Lake...you know, back where this post started...and ends...

Craig Hoppe RIP

Clarence alumnus ('79) Chris Hoppe has passed away.  Rest in peace.

From the Buffalo News:

HOPPE - Craig F. Died April 23, 2012, at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital after a long, hard-fought battle with Multiple Myeloma. Craig retained to the end his incredible will to live, his independence, his interest in the world, family and friends, and his unique wit and good humor.

Craig lived in Clarence Center from the age of 2, and graduated from Clarence Central High in 1979. He enlisted in the army and served a tour of duty in Germany. He worked in roofing, construction and manufacturing.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Shirley Hoppe; his brother Philip and his sister Jane Hoppe Schreiner; he is survived by his sister Pamela; brother-in-law Craig Schreiner, sister-in-law Leila Hoppe; three nieces and two nephews. A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 5 at 11:30 AM at Zion Lutheran Church, 9535 Clarence Center Road.

Share online condolences at www.beachtuynfh.com

Janet Parr RIP

Back in the day, in the years shortly after high school, Clarence alumna ('73) Janet Parr and I inhabited a few of the same places before going on our separate ways. I know from Facebook that she passed away in March, but not much else....

Ride free, Janet, with the eternal wind...

Brian Comstock RIP

While looking around the internet in search of former classmates I was shocked to see that Clarence alumnus ('71) Brian Comstock had passed a few years ago. Brian and I were in the same typing class many years ago.  In fact, he sat in front of me, so I could see the fervent peek, hunt, and peck system he employed as we were supposed to be keeping our eyes on a very important document that we were reproducing as quickly as possible.  It definitely caught Mrs. Frasier's attention...I think she used to stand over him with a ruler in hand...she might have even installed a hands cover, but I can't remember...many years have passed.

Rest in peace, Brian.

"A. Brian Comstock, age 56, of Hawthorne, died Monday March 1, 2010 from injuries received in an occupational accident. He was a native of Lockport, New York and lived in Hawthorne for the past 26 years, coming from Clarence, New York, where he grew up. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Interlachen where he was a Reader and Eucharistic Minister. He was also a member of Knights of Columbus in Interlachen and had been involved with Habitat for Humanity. He worked as a commercial construction superintendent for many years. He most enjoyed fishing, Florida Gator sports and spending time with his family. He attended Rochester Institute of Technology where he played football for Tom Coughlin. He was a proud member of the "sinkhole gang". He was preceded in death by his parents, Alan and Anna Comstock.

Brian is survived by his wife, Sandra Hannon Comstock of Hawthorne; his son, Robert Comstock & fiancee, Kara Mathe of Gainesville; his mother-in-law, Dolores Hannon of Gainesville; sisters, Nancy Smith and husband, Jake of Akron, New York and Jane Comstock and husband, Vincent Jones of Kensington, Maryland; sister-in-law, Patricia Cruver and husband, George of Hudson, Florida along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Memorial donations can be made to: St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church Building Fund, 1200 Highway 20 West, Interlachen, Florida, 32148."

Brian and Sandy from the Class 71 yearbook: