Michael Brief

Michael Brief

1943 - 2011

It is with great sadness that the family of Michael Brief, dedicated father, husband, grandfather, uncle and friend, announces his sudden passing, on Friday, December 16. He was 68. Michael was the youngest of three boys born to Lilyan and Jerry Brief on October 20, 1943. Michael attended Lakewood Elementary School, Marshall Jr. High and graduated from Lakewood High School in 1962. Michael graduated in 1967 with a degree in "Getting Out" from California State University at Long Beach and was a proud member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. Michael began his sales career with Xerox, later working with his brother, Barry selling homes. He went on to work for Goodyear and GI Trucking. It has long been rumored that his "sales career" was simply a ruse to meet and socialize with people. Michael loved music and realized his dream of opening his own store, Howard's Brothers Music Emporium, in 1978. Michael could be found greeting the merchants and residents of Seal Beach with an Abazaba or an ice cream sandwich in hand. He used his store to cultivate his children's love of music, appreciation for theater and education in sales and customer service. Michael's reputation and dry sense of humor preceded him. Curmudgeon was his trademark. He ribbed those he loved and cared about with vigor. To the residents of Seal Beach he was the leader of the kazoo band and a regular fixture at Nicks and El Burrito. As a long time resident of Naples, Long Beach he was referred to as "The Mayor of Naples". Michael's strong opinions and love of politics often possessed him to write letters to the editor of the local paper. Michael could be heard sharing his liberal political views with neighbors and enjoyed sharing his published editorials as well. If you didn't hear Michael sharing politics as he saw it at Nick's, El Burrito or through the canals of Naples, you could hear his distinctive voice calling out your T Time at Bixby Golf. Michael worked at Bixby Golf for close to 20 years as "everyone's" favorite starter. Michael greeted each morning with the daily sports page, a cup of tea and the anticipation of a second breakfast with "the guys" at Nicks. He was a passionate LA Rams, Dodgers, Lakers and Angels fan. He was a strong supporter of CSULB 49er volleyball and basketball. Michael loved to travel and could not visit a city, state, country or island without running into an old friend and quite often making new ones. He never forgot a face or a name. In the words of his friends, Michael never met a stranger. He enjoyed learning a few words in the languages of those he encountered just so he could say hello. Michael was an advocate of higher learning and supported his children in their endeavors to attend graduate school and law school. He took pride in the academic achievements of his children, his wife Shirley and his nieces and nephew. Michael and his bride Shirley eloped to their beloved Catalina Island in 1998. The two traveled to Oregon, New York, Europe and Mexico. They enjoyed trips to Pala, dancing at the Eldo, concerts and the theater. Michael looked forward with anticipation to the annual family camping trip at El Capitan with Shirley's sisters, their families and his children. He never left an evening campfire without at least one verse of Catalina Madalina. Michael worked, traveled and was learning to play the guitar until the time of his death. Michael will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Shirley; daughter, Kameron Brief Beaulieu; son, Garrett Brief; brother, Howard Brief; grandchildren, Gillian Beaulieu, Michael and Shawna Brief, Sofia Mackie; great granddaughter, Isabella Valenzona; nieces, Kristin and Seana; nephew, Shanon and step sons, Danny and Paul. Michael is predeceased by his parents, Lilyan and Jerry Brief and his brother, Barry Brief. "He called it like he saw it" and this too shall be missed. A remembrance will be held at a later date with family and friends. For information regarding the memorial, please call Garrett Brief at (949) 636-2038 or email:
michaelsmemorial2011@gmail.com" In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Michael's honor to the American Heart Association. Please sign the guest book at www.presstelegram.com/obituaries.