Anthony Philip Samuel Brill, of New York City and North Truro, died on June 30, 2020 at the age of 55 after a four-year battle with colon cancer.
Known to all as Tony, he was born on March 20, 1965, and was always proud to announce that he was “born and raised in Greenwich Village, U.S.A.” He spent every summer of his life until the day he died in North Truro.
Tony earned a B.A. in 1987 from Bradford College as well as an unofficial degree in the Grateful Dead. He faithfully followed the band to more than 200 concerts, selling tabbouleh-filled pita pockets out of his trailer-hitched food truck.
After graduating from college, Tony followed his passion for cooking and enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America. When he became a bona fide chef, he moved to Seattle, Wash., where he opened and successfully operated his own Italian restaurant, named, of course, Tony’s.
After more than a decade, Tony hung up his chef’s hat and returned to New York City to take over his family’s real estate business when his father fell ill.
Tony was a caring husband, doting father, and attentive son. He loved with every fiber of his being and lived life to the fullest. He saw what he wanted and made it happen. He was a golf addict and prolific gardener, had a passion for storytelling and music, and loved swimming, tennis, and backgammon.
Tony’s effervescent personality was inspiring to all. If you visited him at home, you’d see him in his underwear at least once. Tony was unapologetically himself, authentic, one of a kind. People were drawn to him because of his distinctive voice and infectious laugh, his quick wit and charm.
Forever an optimist, even in the last days of his life, Tony woke up every day and declared with conviction, “It’s going to be a great day!” He will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, and loving nature.
Tony is survived by his wife, Mindy; his children, Billy and Emma; his mother, Marcia; his sister, Robin Davis; aunts Lisa Wanderman and Debra Onorato; uncle Jeffrey Newman; and his devoted friends Andrei Smerechniak, Tina Pagliasotti, Pete Schneider, Ben Knauer, and R.J. Rabin.
Tony was predeceased by his father, William Woodrow Brill. A celebration of Tony’s life will be held at a date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, donations may go to FightColorectalCancer.org in memory of Tony: champions-of-hope.funraise.org/fundraiser/tonybrill. Fight Colorectal Cancer, 134 Park Central Square, Suite 210, Springfield, MO 65806.
