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Brian Harvey Obituary

Brian Harvey
Brian Andrew Harvey, 58, of Belleville, Ill., born Dec. 8, 1946, in Quincy, Ill., died Monday, Dec. 27, 2004, at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Belleville, Ill.
Mr. Harvey was a bartender at the Swansea Improvement Association for 14 years. He was very involved in St. George Episcopal Church, Belleville, Ill., and was a member of MOVEON.ORG.
Brian will be remembered as a founder of the Electric Rainbow light show. The Rainbow was the premier traveling light show of the psychedelic era in St. Louis, and performed with rock legends such as The Grateful Dead and the Unknowns. The Electric Rainbow also transcended the boundaries of rock n' roll, appearing alongside the Cleveland Symphony and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
Brian's prominence in the music and art scenes made him somewhat of an icon in his hometown. Friends and family alike looked upon Brian with what can only be described as awe at someone who really broke the mold. Their admiration did not go unreturned. He had a deep loyalty and love for the people he knew, and was always there - always Brian. Neither his immediate family nor his church family at St. George's will forget Brian's colorful wardrobe and wit. Wherever Brian was, tie-dye and humorous asides were sure to be not so far off. Brian also was an accomplished e-mailer, and had a special affinity for "interesting" cats. He loved the simple pleasures of life. In all of his interesting earthly endeavors, though, Brian never forgot what truly mattered. His Faith was the cornerstone of his life, and he showed it with a lifetime of service to his Lord and his church. Brian was an acolyte, chalice bearer and lay reader at St. George's Episcopal Church, Belleville, Ill., and always endeavored to help the less fortunate. Through it all, Brian kept his focus on the most important: the home stretch of his long, strange trip. He will be missed, but is indeed waiting for us at the end of the rainbow.
He was preceded in death by his father, Lloyd K. "Moe" Harvey.
Surviving are his mother, Sarah J., nee Sprague, Harvey of Belleville, Ill.; a sister, Susan Harvey of Belleville, Ill.; two brothers, Patrick (Nora) Harvey and Jeffrey Harvey, both of Belleville, Ill.; a nephew, Miguel Harvey; a niece, Rachel Harvey; and other friends and his church family.
Memorials may be made to the Rector's Discretionary Fund at St. George Episcopal Church or to the Democratic National Committee.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, 2004, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, Ill., and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 31, 2004, at St. George Episcopal Church, Belleville, Ill.

Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 31, 2004, at St. George Episcopal Church, Belleville, Ill., with the Rev. Canon Elliot Blackburn officiating. Burial will be in Green Mount Protestant Cemetery, Belleville, Ill.

GEORGE RENNER & SONS FUNERAL HOME, Belleville, Ill.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Belleville News-Democrat from Dec. 29 to Dec. 30, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for Brian Harvey

22 Entries

SUSAN HARVEY

January 26, 2005

I MISS YOU SO MUCH. RACHEL MISSES YOU. WE LOVE YOU, BRI. OUR HEARTS ACHE, BUT YOU WILL NEVER BE FAR FROM US. THANK YOU FOR TAKING CARE OF US DURING YOUR LIFE HERE AND FOR TAKING CARE OF US, EVEN NOW. THANK YOU FOR LOVING US, UNCONDITIONALLY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMPASSION, YOUR KNOWLEDGE, YOUR UNENDING DEVOTION TO OUR FAMILY, AND YOUR UNDYING FAITH IN THE LORD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE OF ANIMALS AND ALL LIVING THINGS. (RACH AND I WILL TAKE GOOD CARE OF FRIDAY.) THANK YOU FOR YOUR ORNERY SENSE OF HUMOR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE OF ALL HOLIDAYS AND HOLY DAYS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEVOTION TO AND DEEP LOVE FOR YOUR FRIENDS. THANK YOU FOR THE NUMEROUS TRIPS TO OUR HOUSE WITH JUICE, WHEN WE WERE SICK. THANK YOU FOR PRAYING FOR US AND NEVER LOSING FAITH IN US. THANK YOU FOR BEING HONEST AND ETHICAL, EVEN WHEN IT MEANT TAKING THE HEAT FOR IT. THANK YOU FOR STANDING UP FOR YOUR BELIEFS AND FOR ACTING ON THEM FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE WORLD AROUND YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE OF MUSIC AND ART, AND FOR YOUR WONDERFUL ARTISTIC TALENT. THANK YOU FOR THE MANY WONDERFUL CULINERY TREATS!! (BUT NOT SO MUCH FOR THE USE OF OLIVE OIL.) THERE'S SO MUCH MISSING, WITHOUT YOU. WE'LL SEE YOU WHEN WE ARRIVE "HOME". WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH. SUSAN AND RACHEL

Dennis Davidson

January 25, 2005

BRIAN, THANK YOU FOR 14 GREAT YEARS!!! YOU ARE MISSED BY, FREINDS, MEMBERS, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, PRESIDENT DENNIS DAVIDSON.

SWANSEA IMPROVEMENT ASSN.

SWANSEA IMPROVEMENT ASSN. BOWLERS

January 24, 2005

BRIAN, WE MISSED YOU ON OUR LAST TWO WEEKS OF BOWLING. IT JUST WASNT THE SAME WITHOUT YOU! WE ALWAYS ENJOYED SHARING OUR HOMEMADE GOODIES WITH YOU. THANKS FOR ALL THE MEMORIES. THE SIA BOWLERS.

Nate Allen

January 9, 2005

While working at Swansea Improvement Association, I had the priviledge of working the shift that preceeded Brian's. That meant as soon as his drawer was counted, I got to be his customer. Not because I needed a drink... But because Brian always had and inexplicable way of constructively shedding light on nearly any topic of conversation. He was the kind of guy you could learn a lot from, but he'd always leave you with the impression that you figured things out for yourself. Plainly put, he made people around him feel good about themselves and left all of us great memories to reflect upon.

You're greatly missed Brian

Kimi (Harris) Banach

January 3, 2005

A son, a brother, an uncle, a friend...Job well done, Brian.

Rest in peace.

James Chaffee

January 1, 2005

"I have loved and that's enough, I have been loved and that's everything"

Craig Cies

December 30, 2004

I met Brian at 18 after becoming friends with his two younger brothers, Pat and Jeff who were my peers. I always looked up to Brain as the elder statesman of the current generation of Harvey’s. If it hadn’t been for the friendship of those brothers, and the acceptance of the entire Harvey family, Lord knows if I would have survived to write this,

Brian was one of the warmest, most genuine souls I have had the privilege of knowing and there is something missing in the world today without him.

It was my great privilege to have known Brian and I hope that I can conduct the remainder of my existence with a small portion of the integrity and dignity that Brian exhibited in his own life every day.

Jim Barteau

December 30, 2004

Brian,

It all started one cold January morning at three AM. in 1967 and like the tsunami you left on, it rolled out and engulfed thousands. So many have so much thanks to give for how you shaped thier lives. The world is an emptier place without you

nora harvey

December 30, 2004

Brian was one of the first hippies in Belleville. He always had an open mind, an open heart and an open home for dozens of wayward young homeless souls. We would hang out all day and night in his bedroom attic at his family's home on Washington street or spend hours drinking endless cups of coffee at the kitchen table until the first sign of dawn, watching the sun come up after hours of mind-expanding conversations about ourselves, our dreams, our interpretations of music lyrics. There was light-show slidemaking, nightly visits to the all night donut shop and adventures driving around the country or occasional music sessions with local bands. It was a time of endless time when we would unconditionally delve into the unknown every day with curiosity and camaraderie, seeking answers that only had meaning in the here and now. There was always a welcome seat for anyone at the supper table and each day we would return with unspoken acceptance into this extended family of friends. We now have gone on to find our own individual paths, but we will never forget that time when time stood still, when we professed to be forever young, when anything was possible. We are proud to have had the extreme fortune of knowing Brian, because that was all you needed to do to be a part of this incredible experience. He was Patrick's and my best mutual friend. A more giving and compassionate person you will never find. We will miss him but we feel fortunate that again he is paving the way for us into the next dimension. I love you Bri-nora

Balde, Rennetta &Michael Silva

December 30, 2004

Brian,

I can't remember a time you weren't in our lives. You will be dearly missed, but you memory lives on.

Let this be our song to you:

"Uncle John's Band"

Well the first days are the hardest days, don't you worry any more,

'Cause when life looks like Easy Street, there is danger at your door.

Think this through with me, let me know your mind,

Wo, oh, what I want to know, is are you kind?

It's a buck dancer's choice my friend; better take my advice.

You know all the rules by now and the fire from the ice.

Will you come with me? Won't you come with me?

Wo, oh, what I want to know, will you come with me?

Goddamn, well I declare, have you seen the like?

Their wall are built of cannonballs, their motto is "Don't tread on me".

Come hear Uncle John'n Band playing to the tide,

Come with me, or go alone, he's come to take his children home.

It's the same story the crow told me; it's the only one he knows.

Like the morning sun you come and like the wind you go.

Ain't no time to hate, barely time to wait,

Wo, oh, what I want to know, where does the time go?

I live in a silver mine and I call it Beggar's Tomb;

I got me a violin and I beg you call the tune,

anybody's choice, I can hear your voice.

Wo, oh, what I want to know, how does the song go?

Come hear Uncle John's Band by the riverside,

Got some things to talk about, here beside the rising tide.

Come hear Uncle John's Band playing to the tide,

Come on along, or go alone, he's come to take his children home.

Wo, oh, what I want to know, how does the song go.

Your song lives on in our hearts,

love,

Sandy Dennett Schutze

December 30, 2004

I always felt like I had truly come home whenever I saw Brian. I will never forget his wonderfully wicked laugh and the way he drew everyone in around him. I envision a big brass band marching down main street in Belleville to celebrate how big his life was. Much Love to Brian and everyone in the Harvey family and to all of his friends. I'm sorry I can't be there, but my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Jack Browning

December 30, 2004

Brian was a real mensch: a human being of the highest and truest order, and a smiling locomotive of a man who took us all, over the years, along for the ride. A life worth living is never lived along a straight line, and, in the end, it is the crooks and bends that provide its measure. Toeing a line is for those who lack the intelligence, imagination, and courage to do otherwise.

Brian was a brother to us all. He was one of us, and will forever remain a part of us.

Sorry for the second entry, but I just didn't get it right the first time.

Toni Salisbury

December 30, 2004

Brian, you were such a gift to all of us. Your whole life was a light show. And each of us will carry a bit of your light as we continue to fight the good fight. I am expecting a quantum leap in the beauty of sunsets.

Much love,

Eric, Nan, Stuart, and Alex Ruwe

December 29, 2004

I met Brian when I was 19 and he was a powerful influence and someone who raised my consciousness. The Harvey Family and Friends were a warm second home and love flowed through you the moment you joined them. Brian was a Mystic, a Hippie, a Teacher, a Chef, a Christian, a Poet. Brian, I hope to go where you now are and I will always remember your friendship and great wit. May God Bless You.....

Kevin Sandefur

December 29, 2004

Dear Bri:

Hey man, no fair leaving the party so early. There's still way too much wine left.

Thanks for showing me that it's okay to be who we want to be. I promise not to let the brown shirts win while you're gone.

Say hi to Jerry and Moe for me, and try to save me a seat backstage, okay?

See you later. Love you...

Diana (Johnson) Bensen

December 29, 2004

I am glad I got the chance to meet Brian. I will remember him always!! His smile could light up the darkest day. So could his laugh!

Jody Travous Nee

December 29, 2004

I am so sorry.

Colin Murphy

December 29, 2004

What a sad loss. I knew Brian for many years starting at the old Lil's Corner Tavern and through my late-partner, Stephen Johnson. He was a champ at Jeopardy, always leaving the rest of us in the dust and his urbane wit was unrivaled. My condolences to the Harvey family. He will be missed.

Scott & Carla Frillman

December 29, 2004

We were very sad to hear of the passing of a long and dear friend. Brian and I had gone through the computer, cell phone, and E-mail learning experience together with many mistakes and laughter. My friend, You will be missed! To the family, Our deepest and heart felt sympathies in your time of loss.

Victoria Johnson

December 29, 2004

In the past few years, Brian and I reconnected; talking life and politics, remembering the light show days and all the friends we made. I will miss you Brian!

Jack Browning

December 29, 2004

The world is a poorer place in his absence.

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