In Memorium

Brian Black is my Brother in Law. The "in Law" part is just so you understand how our families began their relationship. Brian is a great guy. I use the present tense, because he will never be gone. We just can't see him any more.
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Brian Ross Black
BLACK, Brian Ross (45), died suddenly in an auto accident. Beloved husband of Judy (Hoffman), cherished son of Howard and Natalye Black of Los Angeles and Orange County and adored younger brother of Laurie (Robert Lawrence) and Jeff (Danna Gold), precious grandson of Saul (Anne deceased) Shrager, embraced and loved by his in-law family of Joe and Seline Hoffman and all of their children and grandchildren. Born in Orange County, Brian graduated from Foothill High, involved in choir and wrestling. Early on and throughout his life, Brian was a joyful, loving human being of extraordinary generosity of spirit and a Godly soul. Brian gave of himself with the sweetness of unconditional love. Brian was the "real deal," rejecting shallowness and pretense. He was a "mensch." Brian never veered off his mark or forgot who he was even after his diagnosis as a young adult of severe paranoid-schizophrenia while in college. Prior to the current available medications, Brian suffered terribly for many years with the most severe symptoms of his illness, going from treatment to treatment and hospital to hospital. After a third failed suicide attempt, fortunately, Brian's life changed due to wise and compassionate court-ordered medication and treatment. After years of darkness and pain, arrested growth and development, but with uncommon, extraordinary courage, Brian emerged as the beautiful person he was meant to be. Brian met and married his extraordinary Judy, the love of his life. While modest in size, together they built a grand spiritual home of love, warmth and holiness where all who enter feel welcome, cared for, loved and safe. In the past Brian worked for the Mental Health Association of San Diego, Rescue Mission of SD, as a volunteer. He was awarded the 1996-97 "Volunteer of the Year Award" from the Combined Health Agencies of San Diego. Always acknowledging and grateful for the support and love he received during his darkest days, Brian believed in giving back. He worked along with his parents, Natalye and Howard, and his sister and brother Laurie and Jeff as advocates for the mentally ill. Currently Brian was employed as a patient counselor at Alpine Residential Treatment Center where he was a highly respected staff member for his compassion, kindness, listening and counseling skills and, most important, his own life experiences which brought hope and healing to all who had the good fortune to be touched by him. Brian leaves an extended family who will forever be touched by the beauty and love of his soul. This includes nieces and nephews of the Black, Lawrence and Hoffman families. A Memorial Service is scheduled at University Synagogue, 3400 Michelson, Irvine, Thursday, June 19, 11 a.m. and another memorial service in San Diego next week. Donations may be made in Brian's memory to the Brian Black Memorial Mental Health Fund, c/o University Synagogue of Irvine.
Published in the Los Angeles Times on 6/19/2008.