Joseph Howard Brys

Joseph Howard Brys, 78, of Fairport Harbor finished his earthly journey on March 24, 2025. Born in Cleveland, he grew up in Mentor-on-the-Lake and Mentor, and in 1965, graduated from Mentor High School.  He joined the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, serving as an electronics specialist maintaining computers and servers aboard ships during his six-year enlistment.  Returning home, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in mathematics and physics at Cleveland State University.  He continued his studies at the University of Cincinnati where he was a teaching assistant while achieving a Master’s Degree in mathematics.  After briefly teaching at Lakeland Community College he was employed for many years at Radio Shack where he loved solving everyone’s electronics dilemmas.

                Joe was a skilled chess and bridge player.  He maintained a love of astronomy and photography throughout his life.  He appreciated the logic behind the work of Bach, Handel and other classical composers.  His many bookcases and shelves that were crammed into his tiny apartment testify to his appetite to read and to learn.  He valued the friendships built at the Perry, Mentor and Fairport Senior Centers while playing cards. 

                While in Cincinnati, he cared for the love of his life, Jenny, and her daughter while Jenny battled a fatal brain tumor.  Joe is survived by his sisters Martha (John) Matuska, Helen (Dennis) Lutz, Maribeth (Larry) Kalb and his brother, William (Pamela) Brys.  He is predeceased by his father, Joseph S. and his mother Sylvia Fowler Brys McGregor, next to whom he will be buried at a later date in Jefferson, Ohio. 

                 Joe’s family holds the personnel of the Louis B. Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center in the highest regard for the professional care, concern, compassion, kindness and respect afforded him during his illness and decline. 

                Family and friends are invited to gather at the Spear-Mulqueeny Funeral Home, 312 Eagle St., Fairport Harbor, Ohio, 44077, on Saturday, March 29, from 5-8 pm with a funeral service at the conclusion of the visitation.

Joe felt strongly that classical music should be available to everyone for free, so, instead of flowers, please, direct any contributions to WCLV ideastream public media, PO Box 974141, Cleveland OH 44194-4141, in his name. Thank you.

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