Childhood Memories:

Dressed in a suit, my brother Mike was a superhero. At the age of five, a Batman car, cape on his back and a holster on his side with a pellet gun. He protected me from all the aliens in the world and he was proud to be my “Big Brother”. As a Hot Wheel and Lego fanatic, he spent days making entire cities in the living room in Toluca Lake. After his final touches, he would have me place the car on the track and I would watch it travel for miles on a continuous ride. We spent many summers swimming and fishing. Mike especially enjoyed time with “Papa” (Claude Binyon) at Frasier Park, taking care of duties on the farm and their love for coin collecting.

As a brilliant Lilly, his creative imagination brought him so many side hustles. Selling election buttons, key chains and even (BU coins) brilliant uncirculated coins to classmates in grammar school. Teachers always kept an eye on him because he got straight A’s with little studying. This was his temptation for lots of fun and mischief. Enrolled in Junior Achievement and honor classes, he was a tuff act to follow. His teachers would announce that I was the sister of “Mike Lilly”, and their expectations were high!

Mike could be a true prankster and his deep laughter was so contagious. I have seen his strength all my life, and never stopped believing he could slay dragons. He had a unique way of making anyone feel that they could handle any situation in the world. He was a cheerleader and wanted love and acceptance. How grateful I am for all the quality conversations, always expressing how proud he was of his children and their current life journeys. His special love and gratitude for his wife Carol was expressed to me in numerous ways. Mike would want everyone to know this. She is an amazing part of this family, and her strength, endurance and unconditional love have made a difference in all of our lives.

Dear brother, you deserve eternal rest; you cared so much for one and all.                                                                    To have you as my brother, I am blessed!

Love forever,

Janet