John was born February 3, in Newark, NY to the late Nadine (Holland) Brill and Keith Brill, and raised in Newark and Cranston, RI and Seekonk, MA.
From his earliest days, John was quietly accomplished at anything he pursued. He was a New England Division Champion swimmer and decorated Eagle Scout, earning the God and Country Award. After graduating Seekonk High School, he registered as a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War and worked briefly as director of the YMCA in Geneva, NY. John earned a BFA in Photography at Ohio University, where he met the love of his life and wife, Julie Thomas-Brill.
Soon after graduating, John and Julie started their own family in Canandaigua, NY and John began his lifelong career at Kraft Foods. In 1996, when promoted to National Distribution Manager, John and Julie moved to Hopewell Junction, NY where they raised their children and he humbly pursued his many talents. John was a sensitive photographer, exceptional chef, keen guitarist, masterful woodworker, backyard birder, and prodigious punster. But his greatest joy was his family. He and Julie created a lively, loving home filled with music and treasured neighborhood friends, and planned memorable family vacations, often camping around the East Coast and to Rhode Island beaches, a place he held close to his heart.
Before retirement, John accepted a new position and the couple moved to Chicago, IL for a brief and exciting time. Upon retirement, John and Julie returned to New York’s Hudson Valley to be near their children as they started their own families, and devotedly care for John’s mother in her final years. It was also at this time that John helped The Worthy Company launch its business. Most gratifying to him, though, was the time he spent with his cherished grandchildren.
John is survived by his wife Julie Thomas-Brill; his two children Jacob (Rachel) Brill and Kathryn (Aaron) Phipps; his brother Peter (Marietta) Brill; his sister Leslie (John) Maloy; his two adored grandchildren, Ruby Brill and Barrett Phipps, and his nephews Jack Brill, Tyler Maloy, and Devin Maloy. He was predeceased by his great aunt Hazel Barclay.
A celebration of John’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on June 12, 2021 at the Rhinebeck Natural Burial Ground and a reception following from 1 to 4 p.m. at James Baird State Park. Memorials in his memory may be made to the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley: www. foodbankofhudsonvalley.org. To send an online condolence, please visit http://www.hufcutfuneralhome.com
