Brookes Charles Hill, age 73, of Kirtland, passed away Nov. 5, 2016, after a short illness, surrounded by loved ones.
He was born March 21, 1943, in Painesville.
In his 73 years, three distinct chapters shaped Brookes’ life: his young years in Fairport Harbor (FHHS Class of 1961), his years of varied work, and when he met and married the love of his life, Debbie Tulley Hill.
Brookes was fiercely proud of his Hungarian heritage. His family was a fixture in Fairport Harbor, where they owned the local marine hardware store, serving the many ships on Lake Erie. It was here that he developed his love for Lake Erie, and in particular, fishing.
His years of employment included time at the family business, the Ohio National Guard, working the engine room on Great Lakes ships to pay for college (graduated from Lake Erie College), Lake Underground Storage, coaching West End YMCA gymnastics, and teaching high school Spanish in the Cleveland Public Schools and at Warrensville Heights High School, from where he retired in 2000.
Brookes liked to say that his life started anew when he met Debbie in 1977. They married in 1984, and throughout the years shared a love of music, travel with friends to exotic places, visiting local wineries, and relaxing at their lake cottage. His love of dogs led to an association with Therapy Dogs, International, where Brookes and his Golden Retriever, Allie, brought joy to young and old at area libraries, elementary schools and nursing homes.
His cooking and canning skills were legendary. An avid fisherman, his freshly caught, pan-fried perch was a favorite of all. He enjoyed sharing many Hungarian specialties passed down from his mother, Helen. Particular family favorites included his bread and butter pickles, chicken paprikash, cabbage and noodles, and his famous Thanksgiving mashed potatoes.
“We have lost a genuine good guy; a man of many talents, who was as quick to loan his tools as he was to lend a hand.”
Brookes is survived by his wife of 32 years, Debbie Tulley Hill; daughter, Christine Howland of Oklahoma City; siblings, Judy (James) Troutman of Clearwater, Fla., and Robert Hill of Fairport Harbor; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis (Brookes) and Helen Hill; daughter, Lisa Hill; and siblings, Tom (Cheryl) Hill and JoAnn Ramirez.
Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, 2016, at McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Home, 38001 Euclid Ave., Willoughby. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his memorial gathering at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Mentor Cemetery immediately following the memorial service.
In memory of Brookes, contributions can be made to Make-a-Wish Foundation or Therapy Dogs, International.
To leave condolences for the family, order flowers or light a memorial candle, visit www.MCVfuneralhomes.com.