RIP Paul Prill
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
We said good bye to a good man today.

Paul M. Prill Jr. CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH -- Paul M. Prill, Jr., age 67, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio formerly of Hudson, Ohio, died peacefully Jan. 7 at Summa Western Reserve Hospital in Cuyahoga Falls, due to complications of Multiple Sclerosis.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Patricia (Pilarski) Prill; his daughter, Tracey Slife, of Tulsa, Okla., her husband, James Slife and their children, Abigail and Alexander; his son, Eric Prill, of Topeka, Kan., and his wife Robin Prill; his mother, Grace Prill, of Hudson. He was also close to his extended family, including brother-in law, Jack Pilarski, of Rochester, N.Y., his wife Paula and their son, Ian, of New York, N.Y.; and sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Nagrocki, of Farmington Hills, Mich., her husband Rick and their son, Tim.

Born in Detroit, Mich., Prill graduated from Thurston High School (Redford, Mich.) in 1960, where he met his future wife, whom he married in 1965. An Army Reservist, Prill had an early career in broadcasting production, but moved into Advertising, working for Chrysler and American Motors Corporation. From 1978 through 1995, he moved to the automotive aftermarket industry, leading Advertising campaigns for Valvoline, Goodyear, BFGoodrich Tires, General Tire and Firestone for a variety of agencies in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Akron.

Prill was active in civic, scholastic and professional organizations, serving as chapter president of area Kiwanis groups, the Akron Chapter of the American Marketing Association and the Hudson High School music association when his children were students. He was also a group leader in MS Support Groups specifically catered for men.

Prill's true passion was motorsports, and he was an active member of Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) since 1968. Prill competed in many cars throughout his sports car racing career, most notably a highly modified 1962 Lotus Super Seven from 1972 to 1994. As with all of the other volunteer organizations in which he participated, he took leadership roles, serving as the Regional Executive of both the Detroit and Cincinnati Regions. After retiring from driving in 1994, he continued to serve as car owner and chief advisor of the Lotus for son Eric.

Prill was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1993. At his request, some of his organ tissue were donated to the Cleveland Clinic's Mellen Center for continued research of the disease.

The family extends its thanks and heartfelt gratitude to Paul's caregivers, Alina, Caro, Irma and Patti.

Cards may be sent to the church or Prill home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in Paul Prill's name (www.nationalmssociety.org) or 1-800-FIGHT MS.