CORTEZ – A fundraiser will be held for Brian “Hardcore” Haddix at Bunny & Pirates Bazaar on Sunday, Dec. 19 from noon until 5 p.m.
Haddix, 52, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer that has now metastasized into stage 4 lung cancer as well. He’s also dealt with other health issues in recent years.
“The colon cancer spread and settled in my lungs,” he said, noting he begins chemo and radiation treatments on Jan. 6.
Sunday’s benefit will include a potluck dinner and a musical jam session. Attendees are asked to bring a potluck dish to share, and musicians are invited to drop by to perform at the open jam.
“Let’s do this for Brian! Let’s all get together and show him some love. Stuff a few dollars in his pocket while you are there. He is going to need all the help he can get,” says the benefit preview shared on Facebook.
Donations from local businesses are still sought for fundraising raffle prizes. All proceeds will go directly to Haddix. In addition to the preparations being made by Bunny & Pirates’ owners Elizabeth Shore and Jeffrey O’Connell, Rose Lipke and Cindy Thompson are gathering raffle prizes and other donations for Haddix. Donations can be dropped off at Bunny & Pirates Bazaar, at 12404 Cortez Road W. in Cortez. For more information regarding donations and assisting Haddix, please contact Lipke by text message at 941-405-5374 or by email at Rosemlipke@gmail.com.
“Brian is one of the kindest, most gentle souls the Island has ever known. Even as kids at the community center, Brian had a kind word, a warm smile and a generous attitude that continues to this day. He truly embodies the definition of a pure heart. He’s given so much of himself to all of us individually that it spills into a community service that he doesn’t even realize he’s doing. It’s just his nature. It’s time we all show him how much he means to us and how much we love him,” Lipke said.
“I’ve known Brian for over 25 years. He truly is the kindest soul with a heart of gold. He is accustomed to helping others. Due to his diagnosis and other unfortunate circumstances he now needs us, his ‘AMI Tribe,’ to help him. With his basic needs covered, he will be able to put his energy into his upcoming cancer treatments,” Thompson said.
Publix, WalMart and Winn Dixie gift cards donated directly to Haddix are also very helpful.
Haddix’s truck broke down in August and he now often relies on the MCAT bus service to get around. Efforts are afoot to get him a used vehicle so he can drive himself to medical appointments and run his errands. In the meantime, folks can help by giving him rides.
Island ties
Haddix was born in Lexington, Kentucky. He grew up in Anna Maria, has spent the past 40 years in the area and still lives in Anna Maria.
“We were probably one of the poorest families on the Island,” he said of those early years.
As a youngster, Haddix spent much of his time at the youth center that would later become The Center of Anna Maria Island.
“That’s where our brothership grew,” he said of the enduring relationships formed there.
Haddix graduated from Manatee High School in 1988. During his high school years, he formed a friendship with Holmes Beach resident Carol Whitmore, who for several years has served as a Manatee County commissioner.
“When I was a teenager, a lot of times I had to walk home from Manatee High School. Carol used to pick me up when I hitchhiked back to the Island. She worked as a nurse at Manatee Memorial Hospital. She’s helped me a lot with my medical issues and also with my son’s education,” Brian said.
As a single dad, Haddix raised his son, Elijah Haddix, on the Island. Elijah, now 23, lives in Winter Haven and will attend Sunday’s benefit.
“Brian’s a really nice guy and I love him. I know he’s going through a tough time now and he’s had some struggles in the past,” Whitmore said. “He raised his son on his own. I was homeless when I was young. I know what it’s like to struggle, so I’ve tried to help Brian and Elijah.”
Working man
After high school, Haddix spent 10 years working for Jack Bass Marine Construction. He helped build many seawalls and docks on the Island during the 1990s. He also helped improve many of the Island’s beach access points.
Before the net ban was enacted in the mid-1990s, Brian also spent time crabbing and mullet fishing. He later spent many years working as a doorman at several local bars.
“I’ve worked at practically every bar on the Island and in west Bradenton. That’s how I got to know all the bands,” he said.
In 2010, Haddix worked on a crew that dredged several canals in Anna Maria and Holmes Beach. He said he also helped refurbish the pilings on the Anna Maria Bridge on Manatee Avenue.
Haddix administers the Anna Maria Island Locals Facebook page where he shares photos of the Island’s sunsets, wildlife, nature and more. He also shares old photos of the Island and provides historical details about the Island’s past. He also administers the MerLife Facebook page that embraces the love of water and the beauty and mystery it holds.
