Gary T. Pillar

Gary Pillar passed away on December 21, 2024, at the age of 71. He was the son of the late Michael and Mary Angela Pillar; brother of Michael Pillar (Brenda) and Tom Pillar (Christina); uncle of Jacquelyn Svitek (Craig), Michael Pillar (Michelle), Nicholas Pillar (April) and Kaitlyn (Thomas) Collinsworth; great uncle of Simon and Ella Svitek, Jack, Madison and Owen Pillar, Elizabeth, Delaney and Dominic Pillar, and Everett and Camden Collinsworth. 

Gary was a multi-sport athlete growing up in Cleveland then moving to Seven Hills, Ohio in elementary school. Sports were a big part of his childhood whether it was organized sports or pick-up games with his brothers and neighborhood kids. He attended Benedictine High School, where he played football and baseball for the Bengals. He graduated from Ohio University, with a major in Business Management and a minor in Education. He was a pitcher on the Bobcat baseball team. After graduation, his talent and passion for athletics and teaching quickly took him into the education realm. Here, he combined his love for teaching and coaching at Benedictine High School and Holy Name High School, where he taught high school math and coached football. After coaching and teaching at the high schools he worked as a stockbroker for three years. From there, his career path led him to Development. He spent six years in Development at Kent State University, ten years in Development at Benedictine High School, and then culminated his career at Case Western Reserve University. Gary worked for over 19 years at CWRU. During this time, he served as an Adjunct Professor in the Weatherhead School of Management, Senior Director of National Development and Assistant Athletic Director in the Department of Athletics. As Assistant Athletic Director he assisted with development, alumni activities, relationship building with the external community and event management. Over his time at CWRU, he helped to guide many fundraising successes, including a new baseball stadium (Nobby’s Ballpark), new softball stadium (Mather Park), a new health & wellness center (the Wyant Athletic and Wellness Center), and endowing of the James C. Wyant Director of Athletics position, in addition to several other smaller initiatives. His contributions and passion for student access to athletics were so noted that in June of 2022, Pillar Plaza, a prominent fixture and courtyard entrance to Nobby’s Ballpark, was dedicated in his honor. 

Gary was very welcoming and generous. He took great pride in the Cleveland area and always knew the best new places to go to show off the city. He was a great storyteller and had extensive knowledge about a wide range of topics, especially different sports legends and trivia and music. He was always ahead of his time with the newest and upcoming trends from Duckpin Bowling to new music, restaurants, etc. If you went out with Gary though, he always made sure to “hold the onions”. He was a very dynamic and passionate man. He had a wide reach and influence and will be greatly missed by family, friends and the community. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 11 at 9:30 A.M. at Conversion of St. Paul Shrine, 4120 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44103. Interment private. Donations can be made to the Case Western Reserve University Athletic Department in Gary’s honor.