Obituary
He was an introvert - with dozens of friends
Michael Brewer, who was always willing to help out family and friends, was passionate about darts, baseball and wrestling.
By MARTY CLEAR
Published December 12, 2003
MANHATTAN MANOR - Michael Brewer was an easy-going kind of guy, family members said. He was quiet and shy, and he didn't really talk about himself a lot.
That's why even those closest to him were a little surprised when so many people showed up for his memorial service.
"We had a chapel full," said his mother, Faye Brewer. "Mike was a very introverted person, but we found out last night at his memorial service that he had made so many friends."
Mr. Brewer was 46 years old when he died Dec. 2 of cardiac arrest after an accidental drug overdose. He and his 24-year-old daughter, Heather Brewer, were visiting a friend in Carrollton, Ga.
"He was in a coma for four days," his daughter said. "They asked us what we wanted to do. The doctors said, "We don't like to use that word never, but in this case we will say that he will never recover.' The brain damage was just too severe."
His family had always known Mr. Brewer as a good-hearted man who never asked for anything for himself, but was willing to do anything for his loved ones.
"I could always count on him," his mother said. "Whatever needed to be done, he'd do it. He did the grocery shopping, he cleaned the house. He never quibbled."
Mr. Brewer had joined the Marines right after high school and married soon after his four-year tour was up. After his marriage ended nine years ago, Mr. Brewer moved in with his mother, in the same South Tampa house where he had spent his youth, including his years at Robinson High School.
Some men in their 30s might have been a little embarrassed living with their mothers. But Mr. Brewer was so devoted to his family that it seemed only natural for him to move in and help her, especially after she developed some health problems.
At the same time, his relationship with his daughter seemed to grow stronger as the years passed.
"He was really my best friend," she said. "He was an excellent father. He was very overprotective because I was the only child and I was a girl. But as I got older, we hung out at the same places, and we had the same circle of friends."
Mr. Brewer lived a relatively simple life, his mother said. He worked as a maintenance supervisor at West Coast Truss for many years, and would usually either relax at home or visit with friends at the Sportin' Around Pub on Gandy Boulevard in the evenings. He was known as one of the best players in the pub's darts and pool leagues. After his death, one friend commented that he was now "the best darts player in heaven."
When he wasn't playing pool or shooting darts, Mr. Brewer often indulged in his two other passions.
One was baseball. Mr. Brewer was a fanatic for the game and loved the Devil Rays. He would regularly attend games at Tropicana field with his mother or his father, James Brewer, who lives in Bradenton.
His other passion was wrestling.
"He loved wrestling, ever since he was a boy," his mother said. "I'd have to leave the room when the wrestling came on TV."
Besides his family, his co-workers and his buddies at the pub - many of whom delivered eulogies at his memorial service on Monday - Mr. Brewer had one other best friend, his 15-year-old dog Rusty.
Rusty was in failing health himself. He was deaf and nearly blind, and he would miss his best buddy, so the Brewer family decided to have Rusty euthanized. His ashes will be mixed with those of Mr. Brewer.
"I just thought he'd be happier knowing that Rusty was with him," his mother said.
Besides his parents and his daughter, Mr. Brewer is survived by his stepmother, Angie Brewer, brothers Tim Brewer, Mark Brewer and Matthew Brewer, and sisters Susan Brewer-Walsh and Lisa Brewer.
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