Brian R. Stillman, a lifelong resident of the Town of Brookfield, passed away unexpectedly at his home on August 24.A son of John Kenneth and Evelyn Singer Stillman, Brian was born in the old New Berlin Hospital on August 13, 1959. He grew up on the family's dairy farm in South Brookfield, a beautiful agrarian landscape that the Jenks, Welches, and Stillmans had cultivated since the late 19th century. There, he learned to cherish the American values of family love, hard work, and respect for others. On that farm, he acquired a concern for the environment that he embraced throughout his life. Brian graduated from Brookfield Central School in 1977 as an honors student in the Oneida-Madison BOCES Masonry Program. After graduation, he joined his father on the farm for several years until accepting a position with the O.W. Hubbell Company. He began his Hubbell's career as a laborer and worked his way up to foreman status. The sign and guardrail projects he contributed to stretched throughout New York and New England. Brian was a loving husband, father, son, uncle, in-law, and friend who brought joy to the lives he touched. Many felt his spirit of selfless giving as he inspired smiles everywhere. He was happiest during times when he helped his children and friends with their projects, chatted and joked with company, played games with his nieces and nephews, or shared blessed hours with his wife in their weekly tasks. He was an avid hunter who viewed the sport as a unique privilege to observe our ever-changing environment. Watching an eagle, bobcat, or fisher in the wild meant as much to him as harvesting a nice buck or long-bearded tom turkey, both of which he accomplished on many occasions. He savored every minute spent afield.Years ago, Brian entered into an everlasting bond with his best and invaluable friend, Kimberly "Kim" Wright. They shared a marriage that defined love and devotion. After death's physical separation, they remain committed to each other, and to their family and friends.Brian is survived his beloved wife, Kim, and mother, Evelyn. Also surviving him are his cherished daughter and son-in-law, Sarah and Erik Wilcox and his dear son, Jonathan, all of Brookfield. His devoted sons Michael Stillman, of Waterville, and Matthew Stillman, of Knoxville, Tennessee, will forever revere and treasure their father's memory. In addition, Brian leaves his favorite mother-in-law, Patricia Ostrander; his brothers and sisters-in-law Jodi Hawes, Melissa Rice, Wendy Stillman, Robert Wright, and Terry Wright; his Kupris family cousins - David, Kevin, Mark, and Paul; his Wright/Ostrander nieces and nephews; his nieces Marla Stillman Warner and Paula Stillman Michiels; his nephew Bryden Jones; and his hunting/fishing partner, Jack Henke. He was pre-deceased by his father; his brother Lynn; his sister Jacqueline; his nephew Sean Jones; his paternal grandparents, Robert and Lucille Welch; and his stepfather, Calvin Whitford.A celebration of Brian's life was held on September 1, 2018, at 2:00 PM, at the First Baptist Church, Brookfield, with Donald Brown officiating. Visitation will be from Noon until 2:00 PM, prior to the service. Interment will be in Brookfield Rural Cemetery.Contributions can be made to the Brookfield Fire Department or the Bridgewater Ambulance Corps.In Brian's memory, consider doing a good deed for another. Make a sad person laugh. Help a neighbor with a difficult chore. Forgive someone who has wronged you. In doing so, you will have perpetuated Brian's legacy of caring, a philosophy of life that our country so dearly needs.VisitationSaturday, September 1, 2018 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Brookfield First Baptist Church
Beaver Creek Road Brookfield 13314, United States
ServiceSaturday, September 1, 2018 2:00 PM
Brookfield First Baptist Church
Beaver Creek Road Brookfield 13314, United States