Remembering Brett By Brian "Guy" Bose

Since we were young adults, our parents have instilled in us the importance of being a success in life. For most of us, that meant jumping head-on into that endless and futile financial pursuit called the rat race.

Some, however, interpret success in life on a whole other level. For them, it isn’t “keeping up with the Jones’s,” that they care about, it’s taking this miracle of life and living it as well and happily as possible.

One of those rare, special individuals is my friend Brett.

To him, there is much more to life than sitting behind a desk in an incandescent lighted office environment for eight to ten hours a day. The two-day weekend just isn’t enough time to do what he really wants: mountain bike, surf, coach Little League, go to San Francisco Giants games, golf, visit with friends and family, and fish.

So, he walked away. Away from his job in corporate America. While he still works from time to time, he devotes the majority of his time to the more enjoyable elements in life – like fishing.

No matter what day or time it is, chances are you’ll find Brett casting a line out somewhere. In fact, he loves to fish so much, he created his own departing expression – “Fish On.”

While most of us say “So, long!” or “Take care,” he always says his salutations with a “Fish On!” (Reminds me of the farewell, “Stay Golden Pony Boy,” from the book The Outsiders.) It didn’t take long for it to become an idiom for good-bye among our circle of friends because it is so catchy and apropos.

Not only does Brett take advantage of life by staying active, but he mentally embraces it as well. Rarely do you ever find him in a bad mood or complaining. (Although I wouldn’t want to be on the wrong end of a bad call during a Little League game or the bartender if the place ever ran out of Meyers rum.)

When the guy isn’t smiling, it’s because he’s laughing. And usually laughing loudly.

One night, we were having a bonfire on the beach outside his house and we got to talking about something. Someone cracked a joke and we all laughed. The chuckling eventually died down for everyone except Brett. Finding it a bit more humorous than the rest of us, he kept on bellowing – to the point that he fell right off the log he was sitting on.

The fall didn’t deter him in the slightest. Once on the ground, he rolled back and forth in the sand all the while howling away. He was having such a genuinely great time, that we all starting laughing again too. To this day, I honestly have never heard or seen someone laugh so hard.

The only thing that comes remotely close is that scene in the movie Porky’s when the male P.E. teachers are busting up as Ms. Ballbreaker attempts to describe the culprit who “poked his head” into the woman’s shower.

That one moment on the beach, I believe, ideally captures the way Brett lives life. But, for him, it goes beyond that. He isn’t just content to earnestly tackle life on his own, he wants to make sure those around him do so as well. More times than I can remember, he would gather all his friends together for a barbeque, basketball game, or even rally us to Lake Tahoe or a fishing trip to a small remote Sierra Nevada lake.

He is not only a motivator, but a leader. His vibrant, extroverted personality is so contagious you can’t say no. No matter how tired, hung over, or busy you are. One minute you’d be on the couch mindlessly wasting the day away watching television, and the next you found yourself on the first hole of the local municipal golf course. And there would be four other guys standing next to you all because Brett said “Come on! Let’s do it!”

Because of that attitude, most of the friends I made growing up and still keep in touch with today are because of Brett. He was the connection; the link that brought us together and kept us together.

A few weeks ago, Brett and I attended a funeral for the father of a good friend. During the Catholic ceremony, I noticed on several occasions he made the sign of the cross with his fingers. It struck me as odd because I never thought the puka-shell, Hawaiian-shirt wearing, Jimmy Buffet fan had a religious bone in his body.

I inquired about it after the services.

“Guy,” he said. “It’s not about this religion or that religion. All religions have great points and aspects and people need to embrace the finer points of each – not fight them or doubt them. There are no set rules to live by, you just have to get out there and live.”

I must admit, it sounded a bit cliché at the time so I didn’t really think much of it. Now, I can’t stop thinking about it as my good friend Brett passed away last week. He drowned while abalone fishing.

He lived life to the fullest and fortunately for those that knew him, he took us along for the ride. For that, he will always be the epitome of success.

Next to the front door of Brett’s house sits a rock. Engraved into that rock are the words “Gone Fishing.” Fish on my friend. Fish On!

Guy Bose