Bridgeman Funeral

[longtimefanSS71]

Went to the funeral today. Saw a lot of past players. Said hello to Doc Rivers. But that’s not the story. I met Junior back about 1988. His son was in the band at Male with my daughter. Doris and my wife worked the fb concession stand a couple of times. Still not the story.
Speakers were David Novak, Paul Thompson(bus. connection), Kevin Cosby, Star Jones, Chauncey Billops and Bob Russell. All had great stories. What came through is how humble, hard working and faith based he was (first Wendy’s was in Milwaukee the hood; didn’t go great until he bailed out one the workers and things took off, because the employees realized how much he cared). He would work until midnight and then drive home to Louisville. We could all do well to follow his example on how to live.
You can watch the entire service on YouTube.
REST IN PEACE JUNIOR

 

[2330859]

I have followed Junior from the time Denny signed him out of East Chicago Washington, after watching his #1 recruit and Junior’s HS teammate Pete Trgovich sign with UCLA. It was easy following Junior, as he was not only the owner of those many local Wendy’s restaurants, it was not uncommon to see him working inside the one at the corner of Bardstown RD and Grinstead, as he was demonstrating the leadership that was a significant ingredient of his life.

Perhaps what serves for me as an indication as to just how special Junior was as a human being, was witnessing the very long term and close relationship that Junior had with Bob Russell at SECC. Bridgeman was truly a man of faith with incredible integrity, most humble and caring for those around him.

His 12-15 ft “off the class bank shots” while at UL will remain etched in my memory, but it was his life after basketball that is a testament to what a great person that he was.

 

[TopCatCal]

Went to the funeral today. Saw a lot of past players. Said hello to Doc Rivers. But that’s not the story. I met Junior back about 1988. His son was in the band at Male with my daughter. Doris and my wife worked the fb concession stand a couple of times. Still not the story.
Speakers were David Novak, Paul Thompson(bus. connection), Kevin Cosby, Star Jones, Chauncey Billops and Bob Russell. All had great stories. What came through is how humble, hard working and faith based he was (first Wendy’s was in Milwaukee the hood; didn’t go great until he bailed out one the workers and things took off, because the employees realized how much he cared). He would work until midnight and then drive home to Louisville. We could all do well to follow his example on how to live.
You can watch the entire service on YouTube.
REST IN PEACE JUNIOR

I have followed Junior from the time Denny signed him out of East Chicago Washington, after watching his #1 recruit and Junior’s HS teammate Pete Trgovich sign with UCLA. It was easy following Junior, as he was not only the owner of those many local Wendy’s restaurants, it was not uncommon to see him working inside the one at the corner of Bardstown RD and Grinstead, as he was demonstrating the leadership that was a significant ingredient of his life.

Perhaps what serves for me as an indication as to just how special Junior was as a human being, was witnessing the very long term and close relationship that Junior had with Bob Russell at SECC. Bridgeman was truly a man of faith with incredible integrity, most humble and caring for those around him.

His 12-15 ft “off the class bank shots” while at UL will remain etched in my memory, but it was his life after basketball that is a testament to what a great person that he was.

Never ever heard anyone say a bad word about Junior Bridgeman.

 

[Knucklehank1]

Would love to read a book about his life. Such an inspirational and humble person.