“There is nothing on this
earth more to be prized
than true friendship.” 
Thomas Aquinas

Brian went to Riordan High School in San Francisco. I went to Saint Ignatius. Some might think such a combination would not make for a good relationship, but my friendship of more than forty years with Brian Mark has proven that true friends can overcome any obstacles.

I didn’t know Brian in my high school years. We met in August 1984 when I began working with the young adult ministry group at Saint Lawrence the Martyr Parish in Santa Clara. Brian was one of about twenty active members of the group when I arrived. He impressed me from day one.

Brian is soft-spoken, kind, and generous. He is one of the most thoughtful people I’ve ever known. His concern for those around him, including those living on the margins of society in the Santa Clara Valley, has been clearly evident to anyone who knows him. And here, in the midst of the opulence of Silicon Valley, where people are often judged by the car they drive, the neighborhood in which they live, or the brand of their wrist watch, Brian has chosen to live a life of simplicity. He has done so, not because of a shortage of funds, but because that’s just who he is — a man of integrity.

Brian worked for close to forty years in the tax assessor’s office of Santa Clara County. Rather than driving to work from his Santa Clara condo each morning, Brian chose to use public transportation. He replaced his truck after thirty years, not because it had mechanical issues, but because parts for the truck were no longer available, even though the vehicle had relatively low mileage and was in excellent condition. He didn’t sell the truck. He gave it away.

About once each month, Brian and I get together for lunch. We’ve tried a number of different restaurants, but Brian’s dietary restrictions limit the options for us a bit. We seem to have settled on The Garret Station on Winchester Boulevard in Los Gatos. They serve a variety of burgers, sandwiches, salads, quesadillas, and pizza. The food is always good at The Garret Station, and, most always, it’s quiet enough at lunch time for two older guys to engage in meaningful conversation.

Today Brian and I will enjoy our February lunch. I never worry about what we’re going to talk about. Without any agenda or script, we are always able to easily carry on a conversation of value for almost two hours. Of course, like most guys our age, some of what we discuss has to do with physical ailments, prescription drugs, medical appointments, and such. Fortunately, we always find more substantive topics to discuss, as well. I find my conversations with Brian to be consistently interesting and informative, and occasionally challenging. I am grateful for his friendship.