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Brian J. Hill
Brian J. Hill, 67, of Corning, died Friday, Sept. 12, 2014.
Calling hours are 4-7 pm, Monday, Sept. 15 at Carpenter's Funeral Home LLC, 14 E. Pulteney St.,Corning.
Services will be held there at the conclusion of calling hours, Fr. Lewis Brown officiating.
Burial will be in Bath National Cemetery, Bath, NY.
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Mary Jo Castellana (Mattison)
Biography from Carpenter's Funeral Home, Corning, N.Y.
Brian, or Joe, as he was known to some, was born in Corning, New York, on February 24, 1947 to Richard and Mary Catherine (Flynn) Hill and remained in the Elmira/Corning area for much of his life. Second eldest in a family of ten children, Brian grew up in a busy household on Third Street.
After graduating from Corning East High School, Brian enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving from 1965-1969. He later reenlisted in the United States Air Force Reserves, eventually retiring with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant in 2007 after 26 years of active duty and Reserve service. During that time, he was assigned to both the 30th Aerial Port Squadron at Niagara Falls, New York, and the 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron, which operated out of Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina (USCENTAF). He served in several operations, including Operation Uphold Democracy in 1997, and Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom from 2005-2007. Throughout his service, Brian received numerous awards and citations, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Achievement Metal with one Oak Leaf Cluster (signifying a second award of the same type), and the Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster (signifying five additional awards of the same type). He was also an active member of the Corning American Legion Post 746 for 31 years, serving as Post Commander, Graves Restoration Chair, and a member of the drill team. He was responsible for the placement of grave markers and U.S. Flags in various local cemeteries. Brian, a veteran and patriot, proudly continued the family legacy of military service and was an enthusiastic student of military history throughout his life.
After initially retiring from the United States Air Force, Brian earned an Associate's degree from Corning Community College, a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Kentucky University, and later earned a Master of Science degree from Texas
A&M University. After earning his Master's, he returned to Elmira, New York and worked as a professor at Corning Community College from 1982-2007, teaching math, physics, technology, and engineering during that time.
Brian raised his children in Elmira and was always involved and supportive of their interests and pursuits. He was very proud of his children's academic achievements and life after high school. He especially loved seeing the Hill legacy continued through his eight grandchildren. Brian enjoyed hiking, camping, and having a good laugh with his friends and family. He will be remembered for his many acts of kindness and generosity.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Mary Catherine (Flynn) Hill. He is survived and will be greatly missed by his children; Sean Hill of Louisville, Kentucky, Michael (Christine) Hill of Kirtland, Ohio, Shannon (Kevin) Cook of Buckner, Kentucky, and Ian (Stacy) Hill of Fort Collins, Colorado; brothers, Michael (Mary) Hill, Francis Hill, Richard (Robin) Hill, Christopher (Tina) Hill, Thomas (Shelly) Hill, Vincent (Candice) Hill, and sisters Paula (Tom) Eagen, Patricia (Rick) Baker, and Kathryn Fiorillo; grandchildren Teagan, Maya, Kara, Anna, Adam, Aidan, Colin, and Aubrey.
Family and friends are invited to call on Monday, September 15, 2014 at Carpenter's Funeral Home, LLC, 14 E. Pulteney St., Corning, NY from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. A memorial service will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at 9:30am, Father Lewis Brown officiating. Burial with full military honors will be held at Bath National Cemetery, Bath, NY.
The family would also like to thank his Wegman's coffee buddies for their friendship to our father and brother and all the great moments they gave him.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 in Brian's name.
Those wishing to share a thought or memory may do so at: www.carpentersfuneralhome.com
Daniel Gehl
Brian,All the guys at Niagara will miss you deeply, I for one remember you as a Columbia Squire, With the KofC, Then through high school, Then one day you showed up at 30th Arial Port, at Niagara Falls airport. All gave some , and You Gave All ! To family, friends, and for the freedom of our country. GOD BLESS YOU. DAN
Kenneth Briggs
Brian was a really good guy. He would just stop in my little business just to shoot the breeze with me and others. I shall miss your smile and good nature Brian. You surely were a one of a kind. I know that someday you and I shall laugh and joke around again My Friend~ I, as well as many others, will miss you so very much. See You on the other side Buddy~
God Bless
Ken Briggs
Thomas Cole
Brian and I were friends from elementary school. We used to commiserate the pros and cons of being from large families. I remember his kindness and great sense of humor. Such a loss for our world.
Vicky Cole (Tom Cole's wife)
Michael P. Mulcahy
The last time I spoke to Bryan was last summer in Corning.He mentioned his teaching career at CCC.I said you must have heard some of the best stories from the best BS ers of all time and I ask him for his best and I will share it with you here.He had given out a assignment and a do date to turn in the paper.One student did not turn in the assignment and when Bryan inquired why the student replied that his mother forgot to put it in his backpack this morning.Bryan resonded and ask the student if he could do Bryan a favor.The student replied "sure,what do you want?" Bryan told the student to be sure to tell his mother when he goes home tonight that she got a F on her paper
You could never out wit Bryan Hill not even a college student
Michael Mulcahy Class of 1965
Davida DeBLASIO (Telehany)
My mom and Brian's grandfather worked together for 20 years at the Erie Railroad Station, so I got to know Brian and his family very well. He had wonderful parents! Then, just a few years ago, Brian purchased a house on W. Third St. He was so excited because my dad had built it way back in the 50's! I know Brian suffered --- now he is at peace and without pain. God bless his wonderful family!
Davida (DeBlasio) Telehany
Gilbert T. Cushing
Brian and I have been friends since our old St. Patrick School days. I will surly miss him. Our prayers are with him and his family.
Gil & Joan Cushing
Murrells Inlet, SC
Mike Kandrach
Mary Jo thank you for posting Brian "Joe" Hill's obituary.
I knew Joe from our CFA days as we were good friends enjoying adventureous times. Although, I did not graduate from East High we remained friends and shared experiences and stories at the East High reunions. I last spoke to Joe at Landos during the 45th reunion. Joe always impressed me with that awesome humor and wealth of intrinsic knowledge that he humbly hid. He could make you laugh with his wit in a New York minute and back it up with an infectious smile. He wasn't just a good guy, he personified a great human being. I am honored and fortunate to have known him.
I can't remember if I thanked Joe for his dedicated service to our country or not. So I'll thank him now and raise a glass (Mokes' burbon old fashions] in his honor. ...untill we meet again Joe at "Fiddlers Green" a legendary place where old soldiers and sailors meet to share a bowl of grog, where fiddlers never stop playing and dancers never tire. Thank You Joe, safe journey.
Cynthia A Kolcun (Miller)
We have lost a great friend and classmate, but his pain is gone and he is now in a better place. Will miss seeing you at our 50th reunion, but you spirit, I know, will be with us. Thank you for being one of the "coffee buddies" with my brother (Ron Kolcun)....he always enjoyed the chats. Thank you for your serive to our country, you will be truly missed.
Cyndee (Kolcun) Miller
Linda Benza
My memories of Joe go way back to the time when he lived up the street from me before we started school at St. Patrick's . He was a little tyke back then, and he idolized his grandpa from what I remember. From the time we spent at St. Pats, I remember Joe as being fun, smart and so protective of everyone. He had an amazing sense of humor . He continued on in life to have the same wonderful traits into his adulthood. He was indeed a good person, good father and a good friend to the people who knew him. He handled his illness with tremendous sense of dignity and grace. We will miss our fellow classmate and friend. He is now above us within the wings of his guardian angel soaring upwards and smiling down upon us. Let us remember his legacy of giving to our community and to others as a tribute to his good nature and kindness and the reflection of his upbringing and his deep love of his family. You will be truly missed Joe, my fellow classmate!!
Linda J Benza
Greenville, Pa
Class of '61 St. Patrick's
Class of '65 East High School