Daniel V. Brandi, Jr.

Daniel V. Brandi, Jr.  

Daniel V. Brandi, Jr. passed away suddenly at Ohio Health MedCentral in Mansfield, Ohio on Monday, October 21, 2019. Daniel was born to Wilma & Daniel Brandi, Sr. on February 14, 1939 in Saginaw, Michigan. He was raised in Saginaw, Michigan and graduated from Saginaw High School in 1957.

Following graduation, Daniel enlisted in the United States Air Force from 1958 to 1961 and was stationed in South Carolina, Texas and Great Britain. He was also employed by the C & O Railroad as a fireman. Daniel was employed by Eaton Corporation as an engine component technician for 35 years and retired from the Proving Grounds in Marshall, Michigan in 2001. Daniel enjoyed all things related to cars and auto racing. His fondest memories were driving around in his 1967 Ford Fairlane with his family. He also enjoyed watching his grandchildren’s activities & playing with his great granddaughter.

Since retirement, Daniel & his recently departed wife, Sherry, spent winters enjoying the Florida sunshine, most recently in Indiantown, Florida. Their summers were enjoyed in Marshall, Michigan.

Daniel was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Sherry, who preceded him in death by six days.

Daniel and his sweetheart, Sherry Lou (Jewell), were married on September 12, 1964 at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church in Bridgeport, Michigan. They recently celebrated 55 years of marriage. Together they raised their children who survive him, Dan Brandi, III, (wife Jan) Stow, Ohio; Cathy Marquardt (husband Rich) Mansfield, Ohio; Lisa Gibbs (husband Mark) and Tony Brandi (wife Jodi) of Battle Creek, Michigan. Brothers David (Kathi) Brandi of Northville, Michigan; James (Fran) Brandi of Novi, Michigan; and sister Carol (Gary) Tasch of Traverse City, Michigan. Beloved "Bumpa" to grandchildren, Lindsey (Cody) Bassett, Allison (Nick) Gesink, Ana, Foster and Marissa Marquardt, and great granddaughter, Jacqueline Bassett. Daniel leaves behind many nephews, nieces and an abundance of close friends.

A Celebration of Life for both Daniel and Sherry Brandi will be held on Sunday, October 27, 2019 from 1:00-4:00 pm at Riverside Golf Club, 245 E. Columbia Avenue in Battle Creek, Michigan 49015. The family welcomes you to share special memories and stories with them.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider the Success Fund @ Marshall Public Schools c/o Marshall Community Fund , 614 Homer Road, Marshall, Michigan 49068 or online at http://marshallcf.wsiefusion.net/

How Can It Be?

How can it be that the time is here for college visits for our oldest child? This weekend she will be going on her first "official" college visit. And my mind is just wondering how can it already be that time in our lives?

When our kids were younger, people would tell us how fast the time would go and that before we knew it we would be looking at colleges rather than pre-schools. It seems those people really knew what they were talking about. I am glad that I listened to a lot of the "sidewalk/grocery store advice" about raising kids because they were right. The young years go fast. The junior high and high school years have speeded up even more.

I am happy with the fun ages of our kids and the ability for us to enjoy conversation together. Most of our conversations take place around the dinner table. I enjoy cooking for our family. Like most families, we juggle evening commitments to sports and music and meetings and projects. It is pretty difficult to get all of us together to eat at the same time. We try to eat together, as often as possible.  I like trying new recipes and making each person's favorite meal for their birthday. As time goes on, I am curious to see what the kids remember, as they get older about the conversations and food we shared together. A meal brings out prayers and conversations and allows us to share in each other's lives.

"The oldest form of theater is the dinner table. It's got five or six people, new show every night, same players. Good ensemble; the people have worked together a lot." Michael J. Fox  I couldn't agree with you more, Michael!

I would love to hear about your dinner table and your thoughts about family time.

Feeling blessed,
Cathy

Recap 2013, Part 2 and the Lull

I love this time of year...the little lull between Christmas and New Year's. It is when we can nap most easily and yet we are getting motivated for a new year, with the flip of the calendar.  A bit of relaxation mingled with a bit of excitement. And as I reflect on 2013, I can honestly say it was one of my very best years. Certainly there were new challenges in every facet of my life, but it was all tempered by a stronger and deeper faith in God. A God who is faithful and loving and will direct us where we are needed. Wow. Amazing to realize that I am finally letting go of some control in my life. Letting go and letting God work. I am looking forward to 2014 and seeing where God leads me, in my faith journey and how that will be exemplified in my life.

In my last post I found I had nothing to blog about and then 3 months of thoughts and pictures spilled out onto the blog. I enjoyed going back through my pictures and really thinking about those memories. I know these type of posts can get a little long winded, so I really appreciate you letting me pour it all out on this little old blog!

TSwift
The girls got a wonderful Christmas present but had to wait an agonizing 4+ months to get their gift. We went with friends to the Taylor Swift concert. Wow. She was simply amazing. A phenomenal artist! Worth every penny of the tickets and the months of waiting until she came to town!

Wedding
We haven't been to a wedding in a few years. This was one of the sweetest weddings I have ever been to. The bride was gorgeous and we had a blast!

Hoop

And we finally installed a new basketball hoop...this is my little nerd who was dressed up for Nerd Day at school...trying out the new hoop before school:

Friend Time
A friend hosted a very sweet luncheon at the end of the school year. Me with two of my closest friends:

Father's Day
I love Father's Day because it is such fun to celebrate those that you love when it is warm and sunny weather. We celebrated with my hubby on the lake (for the record I took a pic of my kids and hubby, but the sun was so bright we couldn't get a pic of everyone with their eyes open! So I am posting this one, so I don't embarrass the ones that can't keep their eyes open) Just a little blurry:

And with my Dad (and Mom) and kids, a week after the designated day with a cake at the lake.:

I am lucky to have such great parents. Here is a post I wrote about my Dad, a few years ago: Why Valentine's Day is Special To Me.

Tennis
I am rather new to tennis and have only played sporadically. But in the spring of 2013, I was invited to play on a league. We were all new to league play, so we had a lot to learn in our first few matches. In the end, the other teams learned that we were the nicest and most gracious hosts. It ended up being a really great experience. I am not sure if we will play in the league in 2014, but it was a great experience trying something that is so far out of my comfort zone! I am in the back row in the middle in white shirt/skirt. I remember it was super hot that night and I thought I was going to die, but was glad that I had my Frog Tog to keep me cool:

Another tennis photo of a "bloody match" that was played with my daughter,(in pink) sis in law(in yellow) and bro in law(only brave guy around to take us on!)...so much fun! Part of our family reunion fun in Florida:

Our family reunion (on my husband's side) in Florida involved a photo shoot of all the families...16 grandkids under the age of 16...I snapped this pic as they were positioning the kids...this was so much fun to watch...and we were awaiting one more little one in this photo...love the behind the scenes photos! And by the way there are 11 girls to 5 boys! Girls rule:

And another one for fun, with the two youngest cousins, who are sisters, kissing...so so sweet:

And then one of my bro in laws snapped this for us outside by the water with an iPhone:

16...
Nothing prepares you for when your oldest turns 16...it is just so shocking that it has gone by so quickly...but we still had a blast celebrating from the moment she woke up until she went to sleep:

If you haven't noticed that most of my pictures involve family and friends. But in between these fun photos there is a lot of work that goes on. The mundane duties like laundry and driving to/from kid's commitments for lessons and practices. There are a lot of grocery store trips and cleaning of the house. Lots of bill paying and balancing of the checkbook. Honestly, I am a little behind on the tasks that keep the house running smoothly. So I am going to take care of those duties and I will come back with a final recap of 2013 and some thoughts about 2014. See you soon.
hugs,
Cathy