Brian Withrow

Brian won his long battle with cancer on the evening of Thursday, November 6, 2008, when he overcame pain and weakness and slipped quietly into eternity. He was welcomed into the presence of the Lord by his dear late Mother, Betty; and his big Brother, Tom.

An extraordinary musician and intertainer, Brian was well known by audiences and respected by players up and down the West Coast for his drumming and singing and was famous for his boundless enthusiasm and infectious exuberance. He was the sparkplug of his bands which, among many, included Lodestone, The Sarcastics, The Saloonatics and the Solutions.

After years of touring and gigging across the country, Brian realized a lifelong dream when he and his Mom and Pop built and opened a now legendary club, the Old Town Saloon at Ventura and "R" Streets in downtown Fresno. The thriving music scene during the 80's found a welcoming venue in his club which would host any act, from big shows like Guns and Roses to local garage bands and Big Band Swing. All tastes were served in the always-packed club.

In later years he embranced with typical vigor a new career as a retailer with Longs Drugs. He quickly earned the trust and respect of his employers and the affection and confidence of his customer and co-workers, moving into responsible management positions in a very short time.

All his life, Brian loved the Brotherhood of the Road. He designed, built and rode Harley Davidsons. Not surprisingly, as his strength was leaving him, he found and had installed on his "Bagger" a set of wheels turning two wheels into four that allowed him to enjoy the open road on this huge motorcycle without risk of accident. His last weeks of riding may have been no more than short trips around the block, but he donned the leathers, gloves, boots and helmet and kept riding with the stereo blaring his much loved rock and roll music until the very end.

Brian found and enjoyed exceptional peace at his home away from home in Santa Cruz, Ca., spending countless weekends at the "Donna Inn" over the last 14 years. It was his dream to live there someday and his ashes will be scattered at his favorite "helping the sun go down" spot.

The family would like to thank Doctors Mark Cunningham, Robert D'Acquisto, Ravi Rao, William Podowsky and Madhu John for their exceptional compassion and care of Brian. Thank you to all of the staff members at Hematology-Oncology Medical Group, Valley Surgical Specialists, St. Agnes Radiation Oncology and Imaging Services at St. Agnes who became more than medical caregivers, they became our friends. A special thank you to our angels at the pharmacy of Longs Drugs at West and Ashlan who were always there for Brian. Many thanks to our entire Longs Drugs family, who came from store to store with Brian's moves and have always been a constant source of friendship and support. Thank you to Bob and Carol for their spiritual guidance that gave Brian peace. Special thanks to friends Donna, Dean, Liz, Craig, Magoo, Lynne, Bob G., Steve K., Joyce, Sha, Sheryl, Willie and Debbie during this trying time. Heartfelt thanks to Hinds Hospice for their exceptional care for Brian in his last two weeks. To Amy, Romanza, Marlene, Syd, Lisa, Mark, Margaret and Nancy: you are the most wonderful people who have a special place in your hearts to do the work that you do to allow those who are suffering the most transition into a peaceful passing. May God bless you all and know that we now have a special place in our hearts for each one of you. Mere words cannot express our love and gratitude for our extended family at Fresno Harley Davidson for their enduring friendship throughout all the years. They did everything in their power to keep Brian with his face in the wind and on the road that he loved so much.

The old Rocker is gone....he has found a new gig,

Rock on Brian!

We will always love you and miss you

until we are all reunited again.

He leaves to mourn his passing and cherish his memory his beloved wife, Maureen; his devoted father, Allen; sons, Bo and his wife Valerie, Clint and his wife Sandy; daughter, Samantha; mother-in-law, Frances; sisters-in-law, Nancy and Marsha; grandchildren, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, life long "bro" Dean, Mom Clark; so many countless dear friends, his loyal and adoring little sun-dog, Pete-O; and his cantankerous cat, Nubwub.

A Celebration of Brian's life will be held at V.F.W. Post 8900 Hall, located at 3585 N. Blythe, in Fresno, just south of Ashlan Ave., on Sunday, November 23, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. Please ride your bike, bring your musical instruments and come with a smile on your face as we are going to have a good old barbeque in the style that Brian loved.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be made to any of the following: Hinds Hospice, 1616 W. Shaw, Fresno, Ca., 93711; Animal Rescue of Fresno, 4545 E. Dakota Ave., Fresno, Ca., 93726; or The Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, 1111 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, New York, 11714, (www.lustgarten.org).

NEPTUNE SOCIETY of Central California 1154 West Shaw Avenue Fresno, Ca. (559)222-7764