Anthony "Burr" J. Brazas
August 31, 1927 - March 23, 2019
Anthony J. "Burr" Brazas, 91, of Westville, Ill., passed on peacefully Saturday, March 23, 2019, at his home.
He was born August 31, 1927, in Westville, the son of Joseph and Anna (Tarosas) Brazas. They preceded him in death, as well as his two brothers and three sisters.
He married Beverly J. Sparks, his high school sweetheart, on May 10, 1947, in Westville. She survives.
He was a gifted multi-sport athlete, receiving all-state selections in both football and basketball. He was pursued by the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs even before graduating high school. Upon graduation from Westville High School in 1945, he accepted a football scholarship to U of I. Burr furloughed this offer, enlisting in the Navy for 13 months as WWII ended.
Burr was a business entrepreneur going into partnership with his oldest brother, Joe "Spider" as co-owner of Brazas Brothers Tavern until it burned in 1978. He also owned Shields Restaurant/Motel in Hegeler and Brazas Liquors in Hegeler until his retirement in 1997.
Burr was recently selected as the 2019 Westville High School Wall of Fame honoree. He will be inducted posthumously in June at the Westville High School Alumni Banquet.
Burr always said, "I worked seven days a week for each of my seven children" - Marianne (Allen) Russell of Tampa, Fla., Carol (Lloyd) Vaninger of Trenton, Ill., Tony (Debbie) Brazas of Milton, Ga., Joe Brazas of Danville, Nancy (Kenny) Allison of St. John, Ind., Teresa (Dan) Jones of Westville, John (Angela) Brazas of Westville. He was blessed to have 10 grandchildren, Chris Russell, Joe Michael (Jana) Brazas, Erin (Billy) Russell, Brandy (Tyler) Goulding, Matt (Lauren) Carrell, Megan (Chris) Russell, Katy (Andrew) Vaninger-Sexton, Jen (Scott) Szymoniak, Johnny (Kirstan) Brazas, Luke (Kenzie) Brazas. Also 10 great-grandkids, who loved and called him "Papa Brazas."
Burr's greatest love in life was his family followed closely by the St. Louis Cardinals!
Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 30, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 231 N. State St., Westville, with Father Sauppe officiating. Visitation will be 3-7 p.m. Friday, March 29, at Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Westville, 414 S. State St., with a Rosary service at 2:30 p.m. He will be laid to rest in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Westville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given in his name to Westville American Legion, Martin F Vutrick, Post 51, Westville. Please join his family in sharing memories, photos and videos through his Tribute Wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com |