Angels Info
Name: Russell David Brill
Age: 27
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
DOD: December 28, 2016
OBITUARY:
age 27, of Cleveland, formerly of Bay Village, Ohio, died suddenly on December 28, a result of a drug overdose after years of sobriety. He leaves behind a much loved newlywed wife, Laura Benko, his mother, Amy Fritz (fiance John Burnett), his father, David Brill (Karen) and best brothers, Harrison and Jackson. He was the grandson of Russell and Carol Fritz and William Keene. Nephew to several aunts and uncles, cousin to many. A graduate of Bay High ’07, he excelled in marching band and jazz band, as well as the rock group Electric Funk Banana. He recently graduated from Cleveland State with a BA in English, and was in the process of applying for PhD programs to teach college English. An AA sponsor, Russell touched many lives with his enthusiastic approach to sobriety and although he ultimately succumbed to this horrible disease, we are comforted knowing that he helped so many others. If he wasn’t helping someone with their sobriety, he was feeding the poor, helping a friend or doing anything anyone asked of him. A highlight for him was traveling to Appalachia every June to help make homes “warmer, safer, drier.” Russell loved music: writing, playing and listening. He picked up the saxophone as a freshman and made the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony that same year. He composed and recorded song after song of beautiful music. He was a vociferous reader and writer, filling journals with poems and stories. He loved cooking and baking and never turned down an opportunity to socialize. Russell was given so many gifts; intelligence, talent, wit, but the greatest was his innate kindness and generous heart. He was so unbelievably good at so many things – but addiction finally won. It truly was the only thing he couldn’t conquer. His heart was so true, so big and full of life. We wish that we could have him back. He will be very missed. Memorial services will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 5, 2017 at CATAVOLOS BERRY FUNERAL HOME, 23040 CENTER RIDGE RD., WESTLAKE, OH., where the family will receive friends on WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2017 FROM 2-4 AND 6-8 P.M. catavolos-berry-funeral-home.com
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