Joseph Edward Brillon, 82

Joseph Edward Brillon, 82, a resident of Hebron, passed away Sunday, July 16, 2023 at the Washington Center in Argyle from brain damage after a recent fall. He also had an Alzheimer's type dementia for the last six years. He was born April 23, 1941 in Bennington, VT to the late James V. and Geneva (Granger) Brillon.

In 1961, he married Sally Davis with whom he had one son, Jonathan Brillon. He attended school in North Bennington and graduated from North Bennington High School in 1960. He attended Castleton State College and graduated in 1964, preparing to become an elementary teacher. His first year he taught at Ed Fenn Elementary School in Gorham, NH and spent 33 happy years teaching in Hartford Central School in Hartford, NY until he retired in 1998.

In addition to teaching, he led a very busy life. He carefully restored his two c. eighteenth century Hebron homes, the 1789 Flack House and the 1786 Wilson Homestead. He was very dedicated to the Wilson Homestead project and its four barns which took eight years to complete. He also rehabilitated the 1839 S.B. Corning Grocery on the Champlain Canal in Fort Ann where the couple operated Towpath Antiques with the assistance of Reg Killmet. Joe loved collecting antiques and often attended local auctions.

Joe was a long-time member of the Hebron Preservation Society. He worked on the walls of the Munson Hollow School #16 on State Route 22 in East Hebron. He notably went up into the attic of the school and discovered the original triangular window that had graced the front peak of the school since it was built in 1845. Joe and Sally had the window restored to its former glory. It is back in its original place to this day (the East Hebron Presbyterian Church directly across State Route 22 from the school has a matching triangular window in its front peak).

Joe enjoyed traveling in the U.S. and other countries. He was an avid gardener, creating huge beautiful gardens that he would often be tending until dark. He operated Hebron Valley Perennials for a few years at the Flack House. Joe was predeceased by his parents and his brothers, Jim Brillon, Ronald Brillon, and John Brillon.

Joe is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sally Davis Brillon; his son, Jon P. Brillon and his wife Meredith Charbit of Hoboken, N.J.; and his adored granddaughters, Gabriella and Chloe. A celebration of Joe's life will be held at an Open House at the Wilson Homestead later this summer.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hebron Preservation, 656 State Rte 22, Salem, NY 12865 or the Salem Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 36, Salem, NY 12865. The family would like to thank Joe's caregivers, especially Dan Boege, for making his stay at home comfortable.

Online condolences and messages may be made by visiting www.gariepyfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the McClellan-Gariepy Funeral Home, Inc. in Salem.