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Alan Brilliant Obituary
Alan Donald Brilliant, 86, died on May 29, 2022 in Greensboro, NC. Born on May 22, 1936 in St. Louis, MO, he was the son of the late Matthew "Macky" Brilliant and Sarah Birnbaum. He was preceded in death by his wives Teo Savory and Liz Brown and also his siblings Barbara, Ruth and David. He is survived by his stepdaughter Mariah Brown and countless adoring friends of all ages.
Al received his degree in English literature from Columbia University in 1958 and fell in love with bookselling during his time working as a young man at Gotham Book Mart and Eighth Street Bookshop in New York City. He has been writing, publishing and supporting writers, poets and artists ever since. Al will be remembered for his contributions to letters (via Unicorn Press and other publishing), his refreshing, insightful and often humorous writings and stories, his love for Reuben sandwiches, "crusty" bread and authentic bagels, his lifelong work in peace and justice, his regular chess games with so many and his exuberant enthusiasm for plants, permaculture and organic gardening. Age never mattered to Al and those who knew him well were always delighted at his ability to establish profound connections with young and old alike. His ability to remain a peer even in a role of mentorship was unmatched. Al's life serves as a testament to the particular richness that comes from over sixty years seasoned with openness, curiosity, simplicity, honesty and cultivated wonder. He will be missed terribly, but his voice remains accessible and very much alive in his innumerable writings in the forms of published journals, novels, poems and priceless personal correspondence.
A service celebrating Al's life will be held at 1310 Glenwood Avenue in Greensboro, NC on the 4th of June at 11 a.m. Those who wish to attend are invited (but not required) to bring a potted plant to contribute to a temporary recreation of Al's sprawling sidewalk garden.
Please visit www.triadfuneralservice.com to leave condolences and memories.
Triad Cremation & Funeral Service
2110 Servomation Road, Greensboro, NC 27407
Memories and Condolences
for Alan Brilliant
1 Entry
Ryan Stevens
April 26, 2025
I knew Alan when I was his student. I cannot recall the name of the course, but he taught at UNCG. We discussed all kinds of things as a class. He brought in a slam poet. He taught us methods on how to bind books. We ate dinner together. I visited his book shop and bought a copy of The Three Musketeers. I still own a book I bound in his class. I still own that copy of The Three Musketeers. I treasure his whimsicality, his care, his understanding, his desire to listen with an open mind and use conversations as an opportunity to better understand his fellow man. I´m sorry I didn´t know that he passed, and didn´t know to attend his funeral. Hopefully, he´d be pleased to know that I still read and have gardens of my own.
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