Jun 22, 1938 – May 12, 2022
Resident of Carmel
Dr. John Holt Brazinsky died on May 12, 2022. He was born to Dr. John Francis (Jack) Brazinsky and Frances Catherine Holt Brazinsky at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC. He joined his 7-year-old sister Jeanne beginning her lifelong claim that her “life was perfect until he came along and ruined everything.” They precede him in death.
John was an honor graduate of St. John’s College High School, a military academy in Washington DC; the University of Notre Dame where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Chemistry; and George Washington University Medical School where elected a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society.
He served his country in the United States Army Medical Corps, eventually stationed at Fort Ord where he was Chief of Pathology and Medical Director of the Laboratory at Silas B. Hayes Army Hospital. There he met the love of his life, Terri Correll, a Red Cross volunteer. Following military service, he practiced medicine for 34 years at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula serving as Chief of Pathology and Medical Director of the Laboratories until retirement. He was Board Certified in Anatomical and Clinical Pathology and Clinical Chemistry.
John was an avid reader and a life-long learner. He loved learning piano and was proud of his slow rendition of “Danny Boy.” He was an enthusiastic sports fan of Notre Dame Football (Go Irish!), the San Francisco 49ers, the Golden State Warriors, and for every youth team on which his beloved grandsons played, most recently cheering on the Carmel High School Padres. John loved nature, the outdoors, and his garden. His beautiful roses will continue as a source of joy to his family.
A long-distance runner since the mid 1960’s, he ran multiple races including 15+ marathons such Boston, Big Sur, San Francisco, and Avenue of the Giants. He ran the SF Bay-to-Breakers over thirty-five times. John spent hours fly-fishing rivers of the United States and the atolls of Christmas Island. His favorite rivers were the Madison, the Gallatin, and the Yellowstone in Montana which he faithfully fished yearly for over 30 years, as recent as last summer with his grandsons.
John enjoyed hiking the Sierra Mountains, the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, and Mt. Denali in Alaska. A memorable trek was Half Dome with his good friend Paul Best. He treasured his membership in the Haasis Hikers while exploring trails of Monterey County, a favorite being Big Sur. He loved backpacking and camping under the stars in the Sierras with his friends.
For at least 30 years his Sundays began with a beach run with good friends Dean Flippo and Larry Jones, they eventually transitioned to jogs, walks, and finally just meeting for coffee until his health declined in December.
Surviving John is his wife of 50 years, Terri Brazinsky, daughter April Brazinsky (John Polli), grandsons Jack McNeill and Ray McNeill; daughter of his heart, niece Denise Scarff; sisters-in-law MaryAnn Correll Woods, Elizabeth Correll and April Anderson; Godsons Adam Anderson and Bobby Wright. He leaves behind beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins and is mourned by many longtime friends, former colleagues, his Tuesday Night Pool Group, the Old Friends Group, and his Friday Coffee Group.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Monterey County Food Bank, PO Box 3965, Salinas, CA, 93912 or Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, PO Box HH, Monterey, CA 93942 or The Big Sur Land Trust, 509 Hartnell St., Monterey, CA 93940 would be appreciated.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday June 5 at 1 o’clock at Church in the Forest in Pebble Beach.
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