HELEN'S LIFE
Born in Port Huron in the early part of the 20th century, Helen was a trailblazer. Women business owners were rarely heard of at that time, but that did not deter Helen! Helen opened her own bar, the Brass Rail, which remains an institution in her hometown. Helen loved her bar and ran it for many passion-filled decades. Helen was active in the bar industry through the Licensed Beverage Association, and served as president of the St. Clair County Association, as well as various committees for the Michigan Association. According to her fellow townspeople, "Helen was a fixture in Port Huron for 69 years as the owner of Brass Rail. She was considered by most people to be the heart and soul of Port Huron."
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CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF A TRAILBLAZER
Helen's zest for life was legendary. When she wasn't busy running the bar, or serving as a leader in her community, the free-spirited Helen enjoyed golfing, bowling. and baseball. One of her great loves was that of sport fishing; she was once featured in Sports Fishing Magazine for her incredible catches around the world. Helen also sponsored a variety of sports teams within the community and was especially fond of hockey. She is remembered for the enthusiasm she exuded in each and every one of her vibrant years.

According to Tony Abou-Ganim, Helen was an inspiration to many, especially to a young boy who grew up learning the trade in her bar. "I grew up in the bar business. My cousin Helen David opened the Brass Rail Bar in Port Huron, Michigan in 1937. I enjoyed many Shirley Temples while watching my Uncles tend that beautiful bar before imbibing in my first legal cocktails on April 14, 1978. I later went on to learn the craft from Helen, my Uncle Charlie, and Cousin Tony in 1980. I guess you could say, bartending is in my blood. My earliest influence came from my Cousin Helen, who taught me, " For a nickel more, you go first class!"