Brian Francis Pillatsch

Brian Francis Pillatsch, 78, died peacefully on June 25, 2026 at his home in Thompson’s Station, Tennessee.

Born May 22, 1948 in Aurora, Illinois, Brian grew up the eldest of three boys. He attended Catholic grade school and Marmion High School before enrolling in Northern Illinois University and graduating in 1970 with a degree in business administration. His high school years were notable for the military uniforms and training Marmion required at the time, as well as participation in his rock bands The Derelicts and The Ravens, for which he played electric guitar and sang lead vocals.

After Brian graduated from college, he married Margaret “Peg” Brock and welcomed children Christine and John “Jay”. Through life’s many changes, Brian always cherished the time he spent with Chris and Jay, especially the many summers and holidays in Oak Park and the Nashville area.

In 1981 while sitting in a dentist’s chair, a toothache for Brian would turn into a heart aching for the attention of that appointment’s dental assistant. It was there he met the love of his life and he and Cheryl were married just shy of 45 years. Their marriage was strong and filled with love and laughter setting a wonderful example for their children Nicole, Lindsay and Keith. Brian was known to say that he loved Cheryl “desperately”.

Brian’s long and successful career in the clothing industry began when he was a young teen working part-time in his father’s men’s clothing store in Aurora, Weingart & Pillatsch. After college, Brian worked full-time at the store, taking over as general manager, buyer and co-owner. He oversaw the store’s 1977 move from its iconic location on Broadway in downtown Aurora to Northgate Shopping Center on North Lake Street.

Following his time at Weingart & Pillatsch he moved on to senior sales and management roles over the next 35+ years at Hartmarx Corporation, R & R Uniform, Horace Small, and VF Corporation. Brian’s lengthy client list included several major airlines, which allowed him to travel extensively throughout the USA and worldwide, including to India, eastern and western Europe, Central America and all across Canada.

Ultimately, Brian’s job took him from Oak Park, Illinois to Brentwood, Tennessee in the early nineties where he and Cheryl raised their children. After his retirement he and Cheryl moved from the Nashville area back to Chicago where they spent 10 years living downtown enjoying all that the city has to offer. As grandchildren became more numerous and trips back and forth to Nashville became more frequent, they chose to move back to Tennessee, finding a home close to family and old friends.

Brian’s passions throughout his life were spending time with his family and friends, traveling, playing golf, driving nice cars, watching his favorite team the Chicago Bears, and enjoying good music, wine and martinis.

Brian is survived by his wife Cheryl (née Grobman), daughters Christine Reinland (Andrew), Nicole Bruner (Jerod) and Lindsay Young (Jefferson), son Keith (Maggie), brother Michael (Linda), and grandchildren Halle, Adelaide “Doe”, Laursen, Bastion, Landry, Monroe, and Reese.

He was preceded in death by his son John “Jay” (Heather), parents Maurice and Dolores (née Tilton), and brother Keith.

Donations in Brian’s memory may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

www.pancan.org