Gary John Pilla

Gary John Pilla, Sr., age 79 of Richfield, OH passed away on December 2, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones. Gary married his high school sweetheart, Kathleen (Suszkowski) and built a magical life together. Father of Karleen, Gary Jr, and Rochelle (Gyurky), Grandfather to Guy, Matthew, Graeme, Kaylee (Restifo), Owen, Gabby, Brady, Max and Sam. Great-Grandfather of Natalie and Josie, and a friend to everyone he met. 

One of the original "Wyse Guys" in Cleveland Advertising, Gary changed the way consumers responded to creative and helped bring Wyse Advertising to a period of dominance for decades. Gary was the Art Director on the original campaigns "With a name like Smucker's it has to be good" for Smucker's; "Ask How, Ask Now" for Sherwin Williams and helped grow Applebee's from 50 to 1500 locations with the "America's Favorite Neighbor" campaign. 

Greater than his love for advertising was his love of family. His marriage to his wife Kathleen spanned 58 years and their romance, nearly 65. An only child born January 5, 1945, to parents Gaetano and Natalie Pilla, he learned to love and appreciate the simple things in life. Gary could tell you the name of practically any plant or insect and definitely every make and model of the next automobile he saw. A true "student of life" his knowledge for these little things is rivaled only by Google. 

His legacy wasn't built in dollars but love -- and his 3 children, 9 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren will continue that legacy. 

Friends and Family will be received at St. John Funeral Home, 16381 Chillicothe Rd., Chagrin Falls, OH 44023, Thursday, December 5 from 3:30-7:30pm. A viewing will be held at The Church of The Holy Angels, 18205 Chillicothe Rd, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023, Friday, December 6 at 10am, with a funeral mass to follow at 11am, then traveling for burial at Saint Mary's Cemetary in Hudson, OH 44236