Fellow Browns Backers,
It is with great sadness and many tears that we report to you the recent
passing of longtime club member, Bill Jenner.
He passed away, peacefully, on Saturday June 26.
Bill, the husband of longtime club member, Marilyn Jenner, had waged a very
long and intense battle against cancer.
He fought strongly and effortlessly each and every day all the way up until
the end.
Bill was first and foremost, a true gentleman. He was also known to many for
his unshakable optimism.
A few club members quoted to me that "We could have just sat though a
30-point-loss debacle, and Bill would say something like
'Well at least Derek Anderson looked better in the second half.'" It was
almost infuriating to some but that was who Bill was.
Bill was a valuable member of the club's Board of Directors for many years. He
was always there to help the club in any way it needed.
Bill was a staple at the each of the club's kickoff dinners and many of the
annual club picnics at Carlin Park as well.
He was always first to ask David Petroff what he could do to help with
Lobsterfest. As Jerry Bryan told me today,
"Bill was one of a kind. And a total rock to lean upon. When I was president
of the club, the first –and last – person I would look to for advice was Bill.
His advice was invaluable – and always right. He had a way to cut through the
all the noise and get to the point.
He would look you in the eye and give it to you straight." Personally, I can
remember countless conversations with
Bill about club issues or even my own life's challenges. Bill was one of those
people who truly really wanted to know
how you were feeling. He wasn't just asking, he downright meant it.
To me, Bill was one of those rare people who just made your life better just
because you knew him.
When I lost my job in 2009, Bill offered, without me even asking, to write me
a letter of reference.
He was very eager to know what I was planning to do. That showed me he was a
man of strong character and a man who lived by his word.
Our club lost a great man, and we all lost a dear friend. His smile, warmth
and friendship will be missed by everyone.
There will be a funeral Mass
on Wednesday June 30th at 9:00 AM
at
St. Clare Catholic Church
821 Prosperity Farms Road
