John H. Brillian

He was born in Dunkirk, N.Y., on May 14, 1941, to the late John P. and Ruth M. (Boyce) Brillian.

On June 27, 1964, John married his love Judith A. Millonzi. They were married for 53 years before her death in 2017.

John joined the Navy on May 19, 1959. He is a Vietnam veteran who served in Danang, Vietnam, from August 16, 1966, through December 15, 1967, where he earned the Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Civil Action with Palm, Vietnam Campaign Medal with two stars, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon. He was proud to have been chosen to serve on the commissioning crew for the USS Peterson DD 969. In 1980 he was transferred to NFC Cleveland, Ohio, where he retired in 1984 after 26 years of service. He then worked for the Defense Finance and Accounting Service in Cleveland for 13 years retiring in 1998 as Deputy Director for Customer Service, Office of Retired Pay Operations

John was also active in the Sheffield – Sheffield Lake Youth Baseball Association as a volunteer coach for several years.

He is survived by his children Timothy J. Brilllian, Heather J. Nagel, Holly R. Brillian, John H. Brillian Jr., and Heidi J. Brillian. He is further survived by seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild and his siblings Lanny Brillian and Debbie McGraw. Besides his wife and parents, John is predeceased by his sister Judith E. Elliott.

A graveside gathering will take place on Saturday, Aug. 5, at 11 a.m. at Laona Cemetery, 3787 Webster Road, Fredonia, NY 14063.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations in John’s memory be made to Disabled American Veterans.

All arrangements have been entrusted to Michael R. Fantauzzi funeral home, 82 East Main Street, Fredonia, N.Y.