Jim Braich lived a big, honest life
Ken Herar, The Times
Published: Tuesday, August 25, 2009
"My brother need not be idolized, or enlarged in death beyond what he was in life; to be remembered simply as a good and decent man."
Those were the emotional words of Kenny Braich on Saturday, remembering his older brother Jim at the Clarke Theatre in Mission.
In a packed auditorium, hundreds came out to pay final respects and honour the life and memory of Jim Braich, who passed away last week after battling leukemia for more than eight years.
Braich, who was born and raised in Mission, is the son of logging pioneer Herman Braich Sr.
The former Roadrunner basketball star graduated from Mission Secondary in 1979 and later attended UBC for two years on a basketball scholarship.
Known provincewide for his outstanding basketball skills, Braich received many honours including the most valuable player award at the Fraser Valley Championship in his high school graduating year.
Mission Secondary in 1981 was ranked No. 1 in the province with an unbeaten record. Kenny and Bobby Braich played on the team, while Jimmy was one of the coaches.
While setting records as a player, he was just as legendary off the court and admired by many in the community for his leadership capabilities and soft-spoken, humble nature.
As Kenny shared with me a few days before the service: "Jim knew how to win, but more importantly, he was as graceful in losing as winning, bringing the best out in everyone."
When diagnosed in early 2001, he was only given months to survive. Through his strong will and determination, Braich became an example how life can be prolonged under these difficult circumstances even when heavy odds are placed against you. Kenny, also shared that Jim could be the second longest surviving victim with this particular disease.
Managing Herman Sawmills Ltd. from 1981 to 1994, and co-founding the Bridgewater Group after his father's death, Braich earned a reputation of an honest, knowledgeable and dependable businessman.
Like his father and brothers, no day was better spent than at the races. Braich successfully raced horses across North America to many victories, including the B.C. Derby in successive years. His crowning achievement was campaigning the Canadian Sovereign Award winner Bolulight to victory in the final running at Longacres Park racetrack of the Pacific Northwest's most regal race.
Former Mission Secondary basketball coach Brian Fichter, who brought the Roadrunners to several triple-A B.C. high school championships at the PNE Agrodome throughout the 1970s and '80s, remembered Braich in a touching speech.
"Jim was always an inspiration to everyone and especially to his teammates. He was a natural leader and will be sadly missed," said Fichter.
There hasn't been a family in B.C. basketball history that has touched the game like the Braich family. Each brother (Erwin, Herman Jr., Jimmy, Bobby and Kenny) set scoring and assist records, which still stand today.
Two brothers were named to the high school all-star team at the B.C. championship tourney.
During their glory days, they and their teammates elevated basketball to heights never seen before in Mission.
Younger brother Bobby Braich shared in his eulogy that good genetics played an instrumental role in all of their sporting lives and recalls their competitive spirit as children and how scores were settled at the dinner table or on the street over their favourite hockey and baseball teams.
Bobby recalled the time how he came off the bench as a Grade 10 player to replace Jimmy who was in foul trouble in a crucial game at the Fraser Valley championship tourney.
Bobby was "very nervous" but he hit his first two shots and Jimmy gave him a thumbs up from the bench, a signal he never forgot.
Kenny, who was the master of ceremonies on Saturday, told the audience that right until the final hours before Jim's passing at the hospital, he still greeted everyone with dignity and respect.
"That's who my brother was."
KenHerar@gmail.com
© Abbotsford Times 2009
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