Francis Donald Brill

Francis Donald Brill (Frank) died peacefully at his home in Wilmington Delaware on Saturday, January 24, 2026. He was born in Philadelphia, PA and was the eldest son of Francis Ruben Brill and Margaret Alice Brill (Dever).  He grew up in Germantown/East Falls area and worked as a newspaper boy for the Germantown Currier and sold magazines. He enjoyed sports, such as sandlot football and baseball.

Frank entered the seminary out of 8th grade in hopes of becoming a Vincentian priest. He then spent over 2 years at Saint Joseph’s Seminary in New Jersey. He realized that his calling was not the priesthood, and after starting work at the age of 18 years at the Pennsylvania Railroad, he attended night school at Wharton School of Business.

His career spanned over 40 years working in the Accounting Department for Conrail and prior at Penn Central and Pennsylvania Railroad. He gained many friends and co-workers over those years. After retiring in 1992, he moved to Hilton Head Island and built a new home with his wife, Maryanne Theresa Brill (Mattimore) and after her passing in 1993, he continued to live there for 27 years. He was extremely active in his community and church while pursuing his golfing passion at the Country Club of Hilton Head where he was a member of the Board of Directors. He was also head usher at St. Francis by the Sea Catholic Church, for many years. He was the type of neighbor who would always stop to say hello while going about his daily activities. He enjoyed dinners out with his friends and neighbors, always on the lookout for a great BOGO deal.  He left Hilton Head in 2017 and headed north to live with his daughter and her family and to pursue his “second act” where he became a vegetable farmer and built and cultivated “High Hopes Farm” on his new homestead. He left his garden as a gift to his family so they may keep his memory alive and thriving.

He is survived by his two children, son, Timothy Francis Brill (spouse Marlene Brill [Ruppenthal]) and daughter Mary Lou Palladino (spouse Daniel Palladino), his younger brother, John Joseph “Jack” Brill (significant other, Patricia Garvick) and sister Mary Jule McClendon (spouse Gene McClendon), two grandchildren (Vera Palladino) and (Sarah Brill) and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his wife, Maryanne, and his sister, Margaret “Peggy” Cahill.

His life was a blessing to his family filled with laughter and love and memories made in both travel and shared adventures. He loved spending time with his family the most.