James J. Pillo

James Joseph Pillo, 56, of Akron, passed on peacefully to be with God on Wednesday, September 14, 2016, surrounded by his family.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Katherine Pillo, and his birth mother, Jean Dingo.

He is survived by his wife Gail "Penny" Pillo (Maxwell); daughter, Liberty Manos (Shannon); son, Robert Blair Maxwell (Ashley); 5 beloved grandchildren, Robyn, Elijah, Baylee, Saige, and Micah; sister, Joann K. Borden; nephew, Jason Borden; beloved friends, Ron and Sharon Kendzior, many nieces and nephews, and family members.

Jay attended the University of Akron and was a marching band member for 6 years. He worked for ASC Industries for 27 years as a Shipping and Receiving Coordinator.

A very important part of his and Penny's life was devoted for many years to the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps of Canton, Ohio, where they met in 1985. The Bluecoats family, in 2015, honored Jay and Penny, and Marilyn and Phil Booth with the Bluecoats Hall of Fame award for their many years of love and hard work. Many Bluecoats Alumni have stayed in contact with Jay and Penny since 1985.

To our daughters, Liberty, Shannon and Ashley, and our son, Blair, may God bless you all for taking over and doing everything possible for your dad and I during his illness. God has blessed us with you.

To Jay's sister, Joann Borden, for your loving support and care. Side by side, we kept strong.

From our hearts, we want to send love and appreciation to our amazing, precious doctor, Debbie Plate and her staff at CCAGMC for the care and love our entire family has received through the many years. We love Dr. Plate like we love our family.

To Cleveland Clinic, 6th Fl., G62, nurses aides and doctors, we love you for all you did medically and emotionally for Jay and our family.

To Kevin Armbruster, Mike Abraham, Kevin Moore, Dale Sunderland, Dwain Sigmond, and Jay Wise for their help, support and love.

To my sister, Marilyn Booth, who introduced Jay and I in 1985, thank you and God bless you for the last 30 years of our beautiful, hilarious lives.

To my Jay, God bless you on your journey to peace and untold happiness. I've loved you like no other "my JHusband." My heart and soul is yours forever. Thank you for loving me and our kids, and for being our rock. God meant for you to be my happiness.

I wished upon a star and you came true.

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Jay's life will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2016 from 3-7 pm at Newcomer Funeral Home, 131 N. Canton Rd., Akron, OH 44305.