Hundreds Pack Holy Family Church On Tuesday Afternoon to Say Goodbye to Brendan Leon
There was neither an empty seat nor a dry eye in South Pasadena’s Holy Family Catholic Church on Tuesday afternoon as San Marino High School junior Brendan Leon was remembered as a young man with a strong work ethic, unshakeable sense of fairness and, as has been revealed since his passing, a strong penchant for fast food.
Brendan lost his life in the early morning hours of Sunday, May 8 in a single-car accident near the Rose Bowl. He had just celebrated his 17th birthday a few hours earlier at a gathering of friends and fellow students in San Marino.
In the days – and mostly, nights – since his death, fellow members of San Marino High School’s record-setting CIF championship football team have congregated at the site of the accident and have placed flowers, cards, candles, photographs and other keepsakes on the rock and concrete base of the light pole that Brendan’s car struck.
A full complement of his teammates stood in the outer aisles of the church for the duration of the service while eight accompanied the family to the altar as it began.
Monsignor Clement Connolly, who officiated the service, quickly invoked “the Gospel of Brendan” as he addressed the hushed audience.
“It is a living gospel,” Msgr. Connolly said with conviction. “Listen. He is speaking to us now. Brendan summoned us to be here. He loved belonging to a team and he was a team player. He had the generosity to celebrate another’s success, not to be caught in envy or jealousy.
He taught us in his gospel to be part of a team and he is speaking to us now.”
Msgr. Connolly explained the difference between what he calls “resumé virtues” and “eulogy virtues.”
“Resumé virtues deal with the accomplishments and recognitions of your life, to show people that you can achieve a task,” said Msgr. Connolly. “But there are also eulogy virtues that have to do with the soul that speaks to us about the kindness, generosity and vision. These have to do with the soul and they are far more important than the resumé virtues. Brendan’s life was rich with these types of virtues.”
Msgr. Connolly then quoted legendary UCLA basketball Coach John Wooden, who said “Worry more about your character than your reputation.”
“Your reputation is what others think you are, but your character is who you are,” he said.
Msgr. Connolly listed some of Brendan’s many virtues.
“To share,” he said. “Brendan loved to give away his mother’s sandwiches. Fidelity. Being a faithful friend, that teaches about our need to be healed. When we come into the Gospel of Brendan, we see that all these things pass. He summoned such a large crowd here today not that he died so young, but that he lived so well.”
Connolly then encouraged the assemblage to “relish the gift of life.”
William Calix, a junior at Loyola High School and Brendan’s best friend since elementary school, delivered a eulogy that was simultaneously brilliant, humorous and tugged at the heartstrings.
“Brendan had a strong work ethic and a desire to do everything fair and square,” said William. “He deserved so much more. I was angry when I learned he died. When I was asked to speak I realized I should be glad to have known him.”
William brought up a subject that since his passing has been frequently mentioned about Brendan: his affection for fast food.
William told a story about accompanying Brendan on a search for pizza.
“We drove around for three hours until we finally saw the magic words, ‘Pizza Hut,’ that was about a block and a half from where we had started,” William said as laughter filled the church. “But Brendan got his pizza.”
William said Brendan “was the outlet for my boring life.”
“We played video games, walked the dog and talked about school…and girls.”
Another story showed Brendan’s desire for fairness.
“We got our hands on what every teenage boy shouldn’t have, Airsoft guns,” William said. “We decided to shoot each other when we thought they were empty. Brendan shot me in the face from five feet away. It hurt and he was horrified. He didn’t want his mom to find out so he said ‘shoot me’ to make things even. That was his unwavering quality. He was fair.”
William also explained his friend’s deep, personal motivation.
“He always worked for a goal. He saved his money. He bought his own car. He played football furiously, even though he was so small.”
“There are so many other stories I would like to tell,” said William, his voice fading. “He was so important to me. I will remember all of his joy, clumsiness and quirks that made him so unique. He always had his friends’ backs. I love you, Brendan. I miss you, guy…”
Brendan’s father, Robert; mother Patricia and brother, Trevor, who is a freshman at San Marino High School, greeted the hundreds who patiently waited in line to express their sympathies.
“We are humbled and awestruck by the love and support of the San Marino community during this trying time for our family,” the family said in a statement to The Tribune. “The visits, notes, and funny stories regarding our boy have turned our sorrow into joy; and for that we will be forever grateful.”
An enthusiastic game of football lasted late into Tuesday night at the makeshift memorial, his friends and teammates providing Brendan with a glimpse of his favorite pastime. Bags of Kentucky Fried Chicken, one of Brendan’s favorites, were piled at the base of the light pole and one of his friends ate mashed potatoes with a spork. Others dropped by with fresh flowers and another trinket or two with which to honor their friend. On Wednesday morning, Brendan was laid to rest at the San Gabriel Cemetery located on Roses Road.
A memorial fund has been set up in Brendan’s honor. Donations or inquiries can be directed to The Brendan Leon Memorial Fund, 13481 St. Andrews Place #122H, Seal Beach, CA 90740.
“Thank you again to everyone for your kindness, compassion and generosity of spirit,” Patricia Leon said Wednesday.
