Longtime educator an influential leader

Bruce Brewington, a popular member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. who was best known for organizing annual reunions for African American alumni of the University of South Florida, has died at 59.

Brewington, of Winter Park, succumbed recently after a brief illness.

“He was a retired educator who served for 30 years,” said Dr. Martha Williams, co-executor of Brewington’s estate. “He was a technical coordinator, a media coordinator and a sixth-grade teacher at Memorial Middle School in Orlando. He retired from that school, in November 2008.”

Brewington also taught at Stonewall Jackson Middle, Mollie Ray Elementary and Rock Lake Elementary in Orlando.

Brewington sang in the male chorus of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church of Eatonville. But he was well known for his civic and community service as a member of Omega Psi Phi. Brewington joined the fraternity in 1972 on the charter line of Upsilon Delta Chapter at USF.

Brewington later served as basileus, or president, of the organization. In later years, he was a charter member who organized the Eatonville-Winter Park Graduate Chapter of the fraternity.

Friends affectionately called him Big Bruce, Big Daddy and Daddy-O when they referred to the robust, good-humored and highly skilled leader who genuinely loved others and was the life of any party.

Brewington leaves no immediate family members. His memory will be cherished by many USF alumni and members of his community.

Colleagues will unite in his honor at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Altamonte Springs.

A wake will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church of Eatonville, 412 E. Kennedy Blvd., in Eatonville.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at the church, officiated by the Rev. Willie Barnes. Services are entrusted to Wilson Eichelberger Mortuary, 1110 Pine Ave., in Sanford, who can be reached at 407-322-5212.