Page 267 - ShowSight, November 2020

IN MEMORY OF BRIAN CORDOVA
Westminster 2020. Submitted by Nancy Liebes
Brian was one of my dearest and closest friends. I suspect a lot of people likely felt this way about Brian, because of his generous and loving personality. With as many friends as he had, he still managed to make you feel special. It was rare that we’d go more than 24 hours without talking. He occupied that hallowed space on my devices saved for family, the “favorites.” In a world of texting and messaging, Brian still pre- ferred a good old-fashioned phone call, and that more intimate connection.
Brian truly had a wicked and brilliant sense of humor, and could make you cackle with laughter. He was genuinely one of the funniest human beings I know. He was great at poking fun at those dear- est to him, but also capable of turning that spotlight on himself with self-deprecating charm. Brian val- ued kindness in people and the world around him. He loved the beauty of nature, especially plants and flowers. A true empath, Brian had an ability to under- stand and relate to the feelings of others, be they good or bad. On more than one occasion, I saw him taking on and internalizing the suffering of his friends and family often to the point of sacrificing his own health and happiness.
Brian’s favorite artist was Vincent Van Gogh who was once quoted as saying, “I would rather die of pas- sion than of boredom.” Brian had a life of passion and of excellence in all that was dear to him. It takes a beautiful mind to love the world around us, flaws and all—and that was Brian.
In short, I will miss him the rest of my days, and reflect with gratitude on the time we spent and the memories we made. Brian loved Winnie the Pooh (mostly to make fun of the fact that Pooh never wore pants, but that is a joke for another day). I remember seeing an image of Pooh walking hand in hand with Piglet, and comforting him by saying, “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” Saying goodbye to Brian has been excruciat- ingly hard. I guess I am very lucky. Godspeed, my friend. I will see you in the clouds.
MARIA ARECHAEDERRA
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, NOVEMBER 2020 | 263
I’ve known Brian since we were in high school and worked together at a small local fast food, “Pup N Taco.”
I spent most of my teenage years around Brian and his brother Donnie, sister Lori, and parents Jake and Dee Cordova.
He was just starting to show his family’s Beagles while acquiring a few Shih Tzus. I was always amazed at his fierce determination to learn every breed and their confirmation. His senior year, he showed a Saluki and took his senior picture with her.
It was not surprising that he started showing Poo- dles, as he loved the precision and grooming tech- niques of different breeds’ hair !
We had so much fun growing up together, and I have so many wonderful and funny memories of my good friend, Brian Cordova.
JEANETTE SCHAFFER