James Edward Brick II died at his Ajijic home on November 17 at the age of 76.
Born July 26, 1933 in Baltimore, Maryland, Brick spent his childhood in Baltimore and at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina during the early stages of World War II, while his father served as a Marine Corps captain and founded the Marine Devil Dogs. After the war, Brick returned with his family to Baltimore and Gibson Island, Maryland, where he attended Gilman Preparatory School and Baltimore City College. He entered the U.S. Army in 1952 and served honorably during the Korean conflict.
He later worked as a buyer for Hutzler’s Department Store in Baltimore, before moving to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where he married Benita Johnson in 1955.
After the couple divorced, Brick moved to New York for a short time and then settled in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He relocated to Viques Island, Puerto Rico and then to St. Thomas, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. There he met and married Olivia Leeds, a woman famous for her lavish lifestyle and for owning the famous “Nassack” diamond. The couple lived in St. Thomas and Palm Beach, Florida, until Olive died in 1988.
Brick met Mark Henderson later that year. The two became life partners and lived in Palm Beach Gardens and South Beach Miami until 2004. The couple moved to Ajijic in 2004, falling in love with the beautiful climate and wonderful people.
“Jimmy,” as he was known to his many friends, will be remembered for his lavish entertaining, his love of reminiscing with friends about his extraordinary life adventures, and perhaps most of all for being an elegant, charming gentleman who knew how to enjoy life.
Brick was preceded in death by his son Chipper in 1982. He is survived by Henderson, godsons Campion and Jeremy Platt, siblings Sam Brick and Carol Portar and their children.
A celebration of his life will be held at his Ajijic home in January at a date yet to be announced.
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