Gary Brill 67, passed away May 9th after a two year battle with pancreatic cancer.
Gary was born June 8, 1946 in Passaic, New Jersey to Edward (Ed) and Thelma Brill, He was the youngest of three sons.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Donald and Charlie, and wife Florence Brill. He is survived by his wife Susan, step-daughters Misty (Shawn) Kane, Jennifer Bige, grandson Zanden Kane and many friends at Cape Canaveral.
Gary was raised in Passaic, NJ until 1954 when the Brill family moved to Miami. Gary attended elementary, middle and high school in the Miami area. After High School , Gary served in the Navy prior to working with his father and brother (Don) in the electrician trade. Two years later, he discovered iron work where he spent the next 11 years. Gary was introduced to law enforcement after riding with a police officer friend. He enrolled in and attended the police academy at night, while iron working during the day. He graduated from the police academy in 1971, and worked in law enforcement for about five years.
Gary returned to iron work in 1976, but an on the job accident with his knee ended his career both in iron working and law enforcement. However, after the accident, Gary learned about locksmithing through a neighbor. In 1981, Gary joined American Locksmith Association of America (ALOA). He opened a small locksmith business and was certified as a Master Locksmith in 1988. Gary worked the remainder of his career as a locksmith on contract finishing at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
Gary was married for 19 years to Florence before she succumbed to pancreatic cancer in 1993. He was just shy of his 20th anniversary with wife Susan when he passed.
Gary was active with the Transportation Workers Union of America Local 525 AFL-CIO and served on the executive board.
Gary was a generous person and often helped neighbors and friends. He enjoyed home improvement projects (painting, concrete work), shooting pool, feeding/watching birds, volunteering with the Democratic National Committee (DNC), was an avid reader of action thrillers, and a member of various service organizations most recently the Fraternal Order of Eagles #4257. A visitation will be held at Wylie-Baxley Funeral Home on Sunday, May 18th from 1-3:00 p.m. followed by the funeral service at 3:00 p.m. Interment will proceed the following day Monday, May 19th at Brevard Memorial Park, Cocoa. Please visit www.wyliebaxleymerrittisland.com to sign the guest book
Arrangements under the direction of Wylie-Baxley Funeral Home, Merritt Island, FL.
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