Herbert Brightman

Herbert Brightman

Herbert Brightman was born on September 20, 1941, in Charleston, South Carolina, to the late Eulalie Byers and the late Herman Brightman but was primarily raised by his grandmother, the late Emma Byers and father. Herbert eventually left Charleston during his late teenage years and moved to Philadelphia with Mrs. Ida B. Reid who cared and loved Herbert and helped him to be the man he was known for today. During his tenure in Philadelphia, Herbert worked for Abbott, a prominent ice cream company recognized for its popularity at the time. He became the first Black mechanic employed by the company, maintaining their vehicles to high standards and contributing effectively to their operations. Herbert's tenure at Abbott enabled him to accumulate sufficient savings to purchase his first auto truck, facilitating his relocation to Newark, NJ in pursuit of enhanced employment opportunities and increased earnings.

Herbert enjoyed driving his first truck and transporting all types of materials and eventually landed another job with Roxbury auto wreckers, where he worked and drove many different types of BIG RIGS, with many different speeds and sticks (i.e. 10, 13, 18 speeds, and even 20 speeds) some with 2 sticks to shift which was very difficult for some but never for Herbert. He stayed for well over 50 years of dedicated service and even though he worked for Roxbury, Hert sort employment with Marcel paper company where he eventually retired with 20 years of service before they went out of business. His passion for working on cars and trucks and driving trucks was non-stop. Herbert would spend countless hours doing whatever his heart believed was the right thing to do and would share his knowledge and experience with many and very humble in doing so.

If Herbert saw you stuck anywhere, he would turn around and assist you in any way possible, regardless of nationality, sex or religion, all he knew was someone was stranded, and he did not want them to not get wherever they needed to be. Basically, Herbert loved people. He also loved food, but in small portions because he never ate a lot of much, except Bryers ice cream, and almost any flavor. He also loved watermelon, bananas, cherries, sliced can Delmonte peaches and chocolate covered cherries, circus candy, orange slices and loved oatmeal raisin cookies, but will never eat oatmeal cereal. Herbert loved collard greens and especially rice, sweet potatoes, mostly baked. He could eat this seven days a week, he would say. Herbert could only eat (one) chicken wing maybe, or just half of a steak because he never overindulged with eating foods. He loved his Wendy's frosty chocolate or any milkshake when possible. Although we mentioned many of the snacks Herber enjoyed, if the price wasn't idea, Herbert would not purchase them until the price suited him, which was absolutely funny because he was so serious about that, and what he would do is when Bryers ice cream went on sale, then and only then, would he clean out the freezer at the supermarket and stock his freezer with ice cream.

Herbert is survived by his loving wife, Militza Mateo Brightman of over 20 years, children: Rueben Owens (wife Portia), Makeda Brightman, Khadijah Brightman, Andrew Brightman, Eunice Tejeda Mateo, Evelyn Tejada Mateo, Ismael Tejeda Mateo, grandchildren: Amia Rose, Ruben Owens, Antonio Owens, Jaden Brightman, Deja Headen, Lyric Brightman, Alexis Fraser, Jennifer Fraser, Jada Barner, Isabelle Prescott, Ewel Bourdiel Tejeda, Maria E. Tejeda, Eiden Feliz Tejeda, Jayden Tejeda Segura, Vanellope Lara Tejeda, and two great-grandchildren: Jaden Rose and Roman Joshua Wolf-Abrams. He is also survived by siblings: Barbara Grant, Richard Reed, Ja'net Reid-Jones and Ethel Reid-McNichols. nieces and nephews: Jackie Brightman, Carolyn Deas, Larob Brightman, Toby Brightman, Henry Grant, and a host of cousins and dear friends.