|
|
|
Obituary : Jeffrey Brigham |
|
|
Jeffrey Robert Brigham
May 6, 1949 - November 14, 2011
Resident of Saratoga
Jeff
Brigham could light up a room like nobody else. Born in Palo Alto to
Betty McNeil and S.T. (Jake) Brigham, Jeff was an ambitious kid, always
looking for business opportunities. At 10 he set up a putting green in
his mother's yard with starting times and green fees. He loved animals
and was thrilled to land a managerial position at Gary's Pet Shop while
still in middle school. All went well until Jo-Jo the monkey got loose
creating havoc with the reptiles and Jeff was in over his head with a
store-wide monkey rebellion. Little did he know how well that experience
would serve him later as a parent.
All his life Jeff was never
without a job, and after graduating Gunn High School and San Jose State
University he was anxious to be his own boss. While completing an
internship in college, Jeff co-founded Meyer, Holland Brigham
Advertising. With disco fever rising and home sounds systems all the
rage, Jeff and his partner Paul Meyer recognized an opportunity and
launched Stereo West which grew into a 12-store chain throughout the bay
area. Ambitious for a new challenge, Jeff became increasingly
interested in the bar and nightclub business, opening Boswells in
Campbell on his own in 1977. The success of Boswell's quickly led to
Bullfarber's, Mountain View; Barrington's Palo Alto; McNeil's in Santa
Clara and Khartoum in Campbell. At various times throughout the 80s and
90s he owned Mt, Charley's and Carry Nation's in Los Gatos, Pioneer
Saloon in Woodside and British Bankers Club in Menlo Park. At the time
of his death Jeff was the sole proprietor of Boswell's and Khartoum,
both Campbell.
A fun-loving and sentimental man, Jeff never let a
birthday or holiday pass without turning it into a party because friends
and family meant more to him than anything. Always the generous host,
he was also the first to don a crazy party hat or stick French fries up
his nose for a laugh. He loved playing golf as much as he loved
blackjack and slots, and four nights at Wynn LV was his idea of heaven.
Jeff
was the beloved husband of Laurie Brigham and devoted father to Beau
and Brandon Brigham and Jackson Murphy. His cherished youngest son,
Kevin Murphy preceded him in death last year. Jeff is also survived by
his sister Bonnie Brigham Gardiner (husband Jeff Gardiner) and brother
Jack Brigham (wife Judy Brigham), sister and brother-in-law, Frank and
Nina Correa as well as numerous nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.
Jeff
will be deeply missed by all who knew him and were touched by his
charisma and charm. The light has gone out and our world will not be the
same without him.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations
be made to either of the following charities which were close to Jeff's
heart: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention or Blind Babies
Foundation.
A memorial service is being held at Darling-Fischer
Campbell Memorial Chapel, 231 E. Campbell Avenue on Monday, November 21
at 2:00 p.m.
|
|
|
