JAMES GILLIS, SON OF OUR FRATERNITY BROTHER JIM GILLIS DECEASED

It saddens me to tell you that James Gillis, the son of our Alpha Brother James Gillis died in Florida recently. Before my son Damon was married, he and James shared a rental house in Lake Balboa near Van Nuys. James took his life a week before he was due to return to Southern California. He was very dear to our family.

THE LOSS OF Br. BRENT BRODY

We have lost our Fraternity Brother Brent Brody.  His family has requested that we share photographs of him. Please contact Jerry Fecht if you have images to share.

 Brother Brent Brody was born on the 24th of February, 1942 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was initiated into the Phi Delta Psi Fraternity in the Spring of 1961. Brent served as Social Chairman for the Beta Chapter of our Brotherhood.

Brent is widely believed to be the hardest working man to pledge our Fraternity. While attending Piece, he worked long hours in the delicatessen business, "learning the trade." The motives of the Brothers by electing Brent Social Chairman were obvious. Beta Brothers were the best fed young guys in the Valley. After college, Brother Brody founded Brent's Deli in Northridge, California. He later established Brent’s Deli in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Brent and his wife Joanne were married over 40 years. They shared twin, 36 year old, daughters Shanah and  Sarah and an older daughter Yanah 39.  Brent had a son Derek, 43 from a previous marriage. The Brody's had 13 grandchildren. Our Brother Brent died on Friday April 6, 2012.

Note on Facebook from Don Barnhart

Well, kids,today was a big day for me. I signed on with KLAV radio, 1230 AM starting April 20 at six o'clock Friday nights. It's been a few years since I did the radio bit, making my bones as a director, directing some very major talent with a ton of stories, but I can only write so many books and play so many holes of golf. I thought this would be a fun exercise to staying sharp and broker a few laughs along the way. I'll be hosting a rather chaotic format, interviewing those in the entertainment world from stand-up comics, actors, musicians and writers, the whole mix, on the phone or in studio. I hope you can join me for a fun hour. Till then...

 

Don Barnhart

NEW BROTHER RICHARD BOX WITH FOUNDER STEVE FALK c 1957

When Br. Steve Falk gave me this xerox type copy of this picture, I had no idea how it would turn out on the blog. Not bad from 55 years ago.  Thanks Steve. Check out those Phi Delt pins