Obituary of Robert J. Brill

Robert J. Brill Allegany, NY Robert J. Brill of 108 Jefferson Ave., passed away peacefully Wednesday (June 19, 2024) at The Pines of Olean where he had been residing since November 2022. Born June 16, 1938 in Wilmerding, PA, he was the son of Charles and Elizabeth O’Connell Brill. On May 24, 1969 in St. Francis Xavier Church in Washington, DC he married Helen L. Martiny who survives. Bob was a graduate of Westinghouse High School in the Pittsburgh area, later graduating from Waynesburg University (Waynesburg, PA) with a BS in Business. He continued his education and received a MBA at the University of Pittsburgh, which enabled him to become a CPA & CMA. Bob began his teaching career at Gannon University in Erie, PA where he was an accounting professor for 3 years. In 1964, he moved to Olean and began his employment with St. Bonaventure University. Bob held the title of accounting professor at SBU from 1964-67 and then moved into the business office as SBU’s Controller from 1967-1974. In 1974, the Brill family relocated to Annapolis, MD where Bob was the CFO for the Maryland State Board of Community Colleges, a position he held for 7 years. In 1981, he had the opportunity to return to his true love of teaching, so the family returned to New York and Bob once again became an accounting professor at St. Bonaventure University, a position he held for 22 years until his retirement in 2003. Bob was a longtime member of St. Bonaventure Church where he has been a parishioner since 1981. He took great pleasure in maintaining his home where he enjoyed landscaping and the neighborhood often commented on the fruits of his labor. Bob also loved going to the beach and would vacation along the east coast as often as time allowed. His children and grandchildren were a special part of his life. “Pops” always looked forward to their visits! Bob leaves behind his wife Helen; 3 children, Daniel (Melissa) Brill of Saint Cloud, MN, MaryEllen (Kyle) Hanson of Libertyville, IL, and Patrick Brill of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; 8 grandchildren Kayla (Tom), Connor (Summer), Benjamin, Kallen, Luke, Liam, Finn, and Sean, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Betty Disso, and 2 brothers, Charles Brill and Tom Brill. Friends will be received on Sunday, June 23, 2024 from 4:00-7:00pm at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Rd., Olean. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday June 24, 2024 at 11 am in St. Bonaventure Church. Pastor Chris Emminger will be the celebrant. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery. Memorials, if desired, may be made to St. Bonaventure Church, 95 E. Main St., Allegany, NY 14706.