We lost a good friend this week.
Gary Bredbenner unexpectedly died on Tuesday and that “we” speaks for a lot of the Philadelphia beer and food community who came to know this truly nice guy over the years.
Gary was a recognizable figure at a host of beer events, most memorably for me, at the classic ones at the Grey Lodge Pub, where he always seemed to be right inside the door whenever I showed up. I stood him to a few pints over the years but probably not nearly so many as he provided to me. He was a regular reader and supporter of Liquid Diet and I never saw him without a smile.
The funeral will be Monday at 11AM at the Roat Kriner Funeral Home in Danville, PA. It is likely that he will be wearing an Eagles jersey for his final time with his friends. His friend Daniel Cosper also hopes to send a bottle of Gary’s homebrew to the afterlife with him, something I’m sure he would appreciate.
For anyone who wants to try and be there to say goodbye, Danville is about a two and half hour drive from Philadelphia, roughly ten miles west of Bloomsburg. The Roat Kriner Funeral Home is located at 1715 Bloom Road and the phone number is 570.275.0412.
UPDATED 25 July with corrected date of death.
And I’d be surprised if there isn’t a wake at Olde Forge or One Guy afterwards. Gary definitely would have liked that. Nicely put, Jack. Sad day, missing a happy guy.
He will be missed. Good guy and great supporter of craft beer. Well said Jack.
What terrible news. Gary was always a positive and cheerful supporter of craft beer, good food and all things Pennsylvania.
I’m all for meeting at Old Forge after the funeral, after all It’s his hometown.
I’ll miss Gary. He was one of those dudes who was just always happy and enthusiastic, and his attitude was infectious, especially at beer festivals.
Thanks for posting that wonderful photo, Jack.
Gary actually passed on Tuesday; most of us just got word on Friday. I’m all for Olde Forge post funeral, Guy is correctl Gary loved One Guy, but also grooved on OF because it was in his hometown.
Thanks for the corrected information, Rich. I’ve updated the original post to reflect that. I had a feeling things were happening way fast and am glad to get it straight.
I just found out about this from Ruch today. What horribly sad news. He was such a sweet and friendly guy, and I have seen him at more events than I can count. I am glad that I got to share as many pints with him as I did.
I first met Gary at Rich’s Christmas Mix 6 years ago, and he was always happy to talk beer. He was also a fan of good cheese. Hope he gets to share a pint with the original Michael Jackson for all of us.
Today’s obituary in the Daily News:
http://www.philly.com/philly/obituaries/20090727_Gary_L__Bredbenner__a_fun_guy.html