Daniel Brodie, personality lit up the room

WHEN POO BRODIE entered a room, all eyes turned to him.

"Big Poppa in the house!" would be the cry, and everyone would cheer.

It wasn't his physical presence that attracted attention, because Poo was on the small side. It was his personality.

"Poo may have been small in size, but he had a personality as big as the world," his family said.

Daniel Brodie, "Poo" to family and friends, a banking employee for 16 years, active church member and devoted family man, died Dec. 10 of complications of asthma. He was 46 and lived in West Philadelphia.

"He loved spending time with his family and friends, during holidays, special occasions or for just no reason at all," his family said.

"He was the life of the party, always good for a laugh, and as we all know, Poo raised everybody. "

Poo was born in Philadelphia to Joan Brodie. He was an outstanding student at St. Gregory's Parochial School, and went on to Overbrook High School.

He got his interest in the banking field when in his senior year he participated in a co-op program for Mellon Bank. After he graduated, he went to work for Mellon.

"Poo worked hard and diligently, climbing the ladder of success," his family said.

After leaving Mellon, he worked for several other companies before landing at United Parcel Service in Logan Township, N.J. He was the manager, or, as Poo would say, "running that."

He joined West Park Church of Deliverance at 47th and Chestnut streets, where he served on the usher board. He later joined New Heritage Church of Deliverance at 514 S. 52nd St., under the leadership of Pastor Michael Boyd.

In 1987, Poo met Marcy Sparks and launched an aggressive campaign to win her heart, employing acts of kindness and consideration.

"He was a real Don Juan," his family said. The campaign succeeded and they married in 1990.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his mother, Joan; two sons, Daniel Jr. and Roy; a daughter, Ayana; a sister, Donna; and three brothers, Nolan, Michael and Bruce.

Services: Were Friday. Burial was at Mount Lawn Cemetery, Sharon Hill.