Lost but Not Forgotten......

**MILD THUNDER** · 10-21-2009 09:42 AM

Last night we lost one of our own, Brian Miller AKA Straightjacket. He passed away while at work last night. He will be missed, but not forgotten. Please send your prayers to his friends and family. He was a great friend to many, one in particular is our friend Mike Sommers aka Redhotsommer. Mike, I know how close you two were, and Im sure you miss him a great deal. My thoughts and prayers go out to you also.

For those of you who knew Brian, feel free to post and share any stories or pictures you may wish to.

**DAREDEVIL** · 10-21-2009 09:57 AM

My prayers go out to all that knew him,,,,,i was lucky to meet him a few month back and he was a great great person.
I am very sorry to hear this .

In december he actually wanted to come down to FL and visit me.

This is just crazy.

**Ms PatriYacht** · 10-21-2009 10:01 AM

Crazy is right, I can't stop thinking about it. It has been a few years since I have seen him, but stayed in touch through the boards, I always figured I would catch up with him at a boating event. I really feel for his dad, all the projects that worked on and still were working on. Can anyone tell us what happened?

**DAREDEVIL** · 10-21-2009 10:05 AM

I just spoke to his dad on the phone ,,,and all they know is he got crushed by a maschine he worked on.

I just can't believe this ,,even togh i just met them it kind of got me.

He was an awsome guy,,just like his father.

**a-B** · 10-21-2009 10:19 AM

Truly a sad day, my thoughts and prayers go out to Brian Sr!! Brian was a great guy who would give you the shirt off his back without question.

Here is the story from a quick google search.

Street sweeper mechanic dies in accident
October 21, 2009 2:22 AM | No Comments
A 37-year-old man died Tuesday evening after he became stuck in the compressor of a street sweeping vehicle in the Back of the Yards neighborhood, officials said.

The man was identified by the Cook County medical examiner's office as Brian Miller, of the 100 block of Nancy Avenue in Park Forest. He was pronounced dead at 12:23 a.m. at the scene, an autopsy is scheduled for later today.

Miller was a mechanic at Elgin Sweeping Services Inc, at 1015 W. Pershing Rd., officials said. Officials said he was working on a truck.

Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Amina Greer said the man was found unresponsive after the accident which occurred at 10:10 p.m. Greer said the man became trapped inside the compressor of a street sweeping truck in the lot of the facility.

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2...ing-truck.html

**MILD THUNDER** · 10-21-2009 10:19 AM

There is one thing I know for sure about Brian Jr. And that was that his Father was his hero, his idle, and his best friend. He spoke of his father with the upmost regards.

Brian may have got called upon early, but you better believe it was for a good reason. A reason like the Gates of Heaven were malfunctioning, and God needed someone worthy of fixing them. With a reward much greater than any kind of overtime salary. Brian, like his father, could fix anything. He will be missed, but Im sure he will be looking over the throttle arm of his friends.

**DollaBill** · 10-21-2009 10:54 AM

sad man

**redhotsommer** · 10-21-2009 11:08 AM

"I'm sure he will be looking over the throttle arm of his friends"

Michelle better hang on tight next season.

I absolutely second the sentiment regarding Brian's relationship with his dad. His dad is the reason I even met him...he had seen me posting on Jack's old forum and noticed my location as Frankfort, so he contacted me. Turned out, he lived 2 blocks behind me. This was the weekend before the COPS Skater plant tour, which young Brian was to be attending. Ol' Brian gave me a brief description of what young Brian was like...I was a bit apprehensive...here I was, going to a party where I didn't know too many people, trusting some redneck/trucker guy I'd never met telling me I'd get along great with his extremely tattooed son. When young Brian walked into the room in South Haven, it was obvious right away this was the guy I was looking for. I walked up to him and said "I've been talking to your dad online." His response was, of course, something like "You've been chatting with an old man online??? Geez what HAVE you been discussing?" To say we became fast friends would be an understatement. We hung out all evening and had a great time. A couple weeks later, I found what would become my boat down at Raymond's in the Ozarks...REALLY wanted to check it out, but who would want to go with me? I called Brian and said "Want to go check out a boat with me?" He said "Sure, where at?" I said "LOTO." and half-expected him to back out...instead, the response was "Hell yeah...when are we leaving?" Over the past 5 years, there has rarely been a week when I haven't talked to him or seen him. He was truely one of my best friends, and one of the best people I've ever met.

Bring on those stories.

**MILD THUNDER** · 10-21-2009 11:21 AM

Yea, I remember meeting Brian for the first time at the Chicago scene boat party a few years back. My buddy and I were just getting into the offshore boats, and we got introduced to Brian. Amongst all the partying, boozing, etc, brian took the time to talk shop with us.

This summer up in south haven, my boat wouldnt start on saturday. Saturday night we drank and drank, and drank some more till the sun came up sitting on my boat. He went back to his room and slept a couple hours. He came back down to the dock, and we figured my plugs were fouled out. We were hungover and tired, but brian still joined me in a couple mile walk to town to get a set of plugs, even though he was tired as hell. Thats just how he was, always lending a hand.

**mustang** · 10-21-2009 12:01 PM

RIP - Sorry to hear about your friend and for those he left behind.

**searaycer** · 10-21-2009 12:02 PM

my condolences

**Twin Whackas** · 10-21-2009 12:21 PM

A very sad day for all. I met Brian for the first time this summer at the Michigan City boat races. We sat and bs'd with each other like we had been friends for years. May he reast in peace.

Mike Stroud

**Magic Medicine** · 10-21-2009 01:41 PM

Brian was nothing but a great friend over the years. He would glad drive your boat if you needed him to. You could always call him with any mechanical question about almost anything and he would have the answer! May he rest in peace!!!!!!

The first time I met him was on a CPC run, I had to talk to him. He and his dad were railing the 30 scarab in some pretty big water. Pretty sure they were one of the first boats at Michigan City we left from Chicago

**Ms PatriYacht** · 10-21-2009 01:54 PM

Mike that picture of him on your beak is friggin hilarious, there must be some sort of funny story behind it. I remember the first time I saw him, I was a bit taken a back not knowing what to expect but he was so friendly and genuine you just liked him pretty quickly. The last time and maybe only time I was in a strip club was with you guys, I still remember that night, I got to live out my wild side, a little

**Roger 1** · 10-21-2009 03:00 PM

This just breaks my heart. Please keep me informed as to the arrangements.

R.I.P. Brian

Roger

**a-B** · 10-21-2009 04:40 PM

Wake - 10/23 from 3-9 p.m.

Crete Funeral Home
1182 Main St
Crete, IL 60417-1944
(708) 672-7600

Mass - 10/24 @ 10a.m.

St. Mary's Church
227 Monee Rd
Park Forest, IL 60466-2403
(708) 747-1600

**DAREDEVIL** · 10-21-2009 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by a-B

Wake - 10/23 from 3-9 p.m.

Crete Funeral Home
1182 Main St
Crete, IL 60417-1944
(708) 672-7600

Mass - 10/24 @ 10a.m.

St. Mary's Church
227 Monee Rd
Park Forest, IL 60466-2403
(708) 747-1600

Well,,,i live down here in FL and money is tight.
I HOPE SOMEBODY CAN SAY GOOD BY FOR ME !!!???

I did not know him long or as good as many of u ,,but he was a real cool guy and i considered him a friend ,,even tough we have just met and only seen each other for about 2 hours .

Still can't believe this.

Scott

**Blue Oval** · 10-21-2009 05:15 PM

Sounds like he was a great guy, and some great friends, sorry to hear of this.

**redhotsommer** · 10-21-2009 07:51 PM

Here's a couple more pics I've dug up...I'm sure I've got a lot on my work computer...

Brian @ LOTO...he came down with Kool-Aid, stopping on the way at an auto parts store to get me a spare ignition module, then ended up swapping out props with the boat IN THE WATER before the Frankie and Louie's Poker Run!

Brian and Michelle @ LOTO

Michigan City SBI races this summer

**OBNOXUS** · 10-21-2009 08:26 PM

Mike, these are great pictures and cherished memories!

One memory that will always stick is "naked chick" in Loto! That one will last forever!

Mrs. OB

Thread: Lost but Not Forgotten......

Thread Tools

Search Thread

Display

Posting Permissions