Funeral arrangements
Visitation will be at 5 p.m. Jan. 26, at the Schlientz and Moore Funeral Home at 820 Miamisburg-Centerville Road in Centerville. A memorial service will follow at 7 p.m..
DAYTON — John David Bhai, co-owner of Brixx Ice Co., died of medical complications Thursday morning, Jan. 20. He was 33.
Brixx opened in 2003, and, in 2008, Bhai and his brother, Chris, purchased the restaurant and sports bar at 500 E. First St., directly opposite Fifth Third Field, home of the Dayton Dragons baseball team.
“It’s a really tough time,” said Chris Bhai. “He had some health issues.”
Brixx manager Josh Trent said his staff is distraught over the loss of their friend and boss.
“Words can’t describe it,” Trent said. “John not only was a friend, he was my brother. He was family to me.”
Chris Bhai said he deeply loves and misses his brother, with whom he shared “a great love for baseball and sports.”
“I was so blessed to work and spend time every day with my brother,” Chris Bhai said. “I know he will always be with me, and I will see his face every day at Brixx.”
Chris Bhai said his brother was an adventurous spirit, graduating from the University of Denver after spending his summers in Alaska as a tour guide at Denali National Park.
Bhai later moved to Colorado to be closer to his father, Harry, where he honed his skills with business services company, the Carlson Group, as its general manager and public relations director.
After moving to Dayton and buying Brixx with his brother, Bhai worked hard at developing the business.
“John felt community and relationships, locally, were very important,” Chris Bhai said. “He was passionate about the revitalization of Dayton and its future.”
Bhai is survived by his brother, Chris, father, Harry, and sister, Karin Gurokovich.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-9338 or kmcallister@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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