Coping with a family member’s loss isn’t easy. Those painful flashbacks, the moments spent together, and the impact, the person always claw their way back in memories, time and again. And this time, a legendary college football announcer had to go through his fair share of personal losses after losing his beloved sister to breast cancer.

Tim Brando had lost his brother, Curt, 5 years ago to cancer, whom the announcer named after his broadcasting hero, Curt Gowdy. It was tough for Brando to cope with the loss, and he called Curt his “hero” and the “best uncle” that his daughters had. This time, to see his sister, Gigi, pass away after battling the same challenge of cancer, hasn’t been easy. The family, including Tim, had a private funeral yesterday, as they had adjusted the date due to Brando’s football commitments. Brando also shared some heartfelt pictures from his childhood with his sister on X.

“We (my original family) said goodbye to my older sister Gigi yesterday. Closure took a while, as my younger brother was kind enough to consider my crazy schedule in what was a private funeral. She would have wanted that and as her very ‘public’ brother…. Gigi was an enormously gifted human being and gave more than she took. Hug those near and dear while ya still can! 🙏💜 Love ya, Sis,” wrote Brando on X. Gigi’s life was remarkable in her own way as she became a “second mom” for Brando and his brothers.

From becoming a talented dancer, according to Brando, to teaching the craft at Shreveport, Louisiana. Brando described Gigi as a “sweet and kind giver,” someone who helped his brother Chris and especially his mom in her later years. Not just that, Tim’s sister was also a part of their dad’s TV family and the show band, as the family grew up. Notably, Brando’s dad, Hub Brando, was a prominent broadcaster in Shreveport, Louisiana, and was the inspiration behind Tim’s broadcasting career. When Tim’s parent got separated, Gigi was the one who helped the family.

“Until I was 9, it was just us before my younger brothers arrived, and when they did, she became their 2nd Mom as Loretta worked to keep us going strong thru tough times with Mom and Dad separated,” wrote Brando in an earlier X post. Gigi’s passing surely has left a void for Brando, since coping with the loss surely would take time. At this moment, we send thoughts and prayers for finding the strength. However, Tim has lately found it hard, since Gigi’s passing comes at a time when he has already lost his mom, dad, and his youngest brother, Curt.

Tim Brando becomes emotional after losing his three pillars of support

Tim’s youngest brother, Curt, was a renowned syndicated writer and an international editor. His works were published in several highly reputed publications, including The National and Trade Times Hong Kong. For Tim Brando, his relationship with Curt started right from his birth, naming him after Curt Gowdy, and that’s why Curt was truly close with Tim. “Curt Gowdy was my broadcasting idol, and that’s gonna be your name. Curt was my hero, but what I didn’t realize then, but do now, is that you, too. Curt (my little bro) would become my hero,” wrote Tim Brando about his brother Curt. Losing Curt then became hard, and after it came the tragic passing of his mother.

Tim’s mom passed away in November last year, and he wrote with a heavy heart the effect that the losses have on him. “Dad, Mom, my youngest brother Curt (whom I named after Gowdy) are all gone now, so forgive me for being too retrospective, but that’s who I am,” wrote Brando on his X post.  As for Gigi, Tim was thankful that Gigi’s 30-year-old battle with cancer had ended, as she was in a better place now.

“I’m so glad her long battle with cancer is over, and she’s in heaven, no longer in any pain. May God bless and keep her,” wrote the sportscaster. Tim’s family and the various moments he had with his mom, dad, and sister must be coming as those emotional flashes now and then, as it happens with everyone. However, the values that the family instilled, the electrifying voice that Brando got from his father, still lives on. And that’s probably the reason Brando is going ever more strong and still announcing games since 1986.