Brett W. Willoughby

Brett W. Willoughby, 77, of Tiffin, died at 4:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at the Willows of Tiffin.

Brett was born June 12, 1946, in Seneca County to Robert L. and Lucille P. (Hosang) Willoughby. He married Lois J. Brickner on July 9, 1971, at St. Andrew Catholic Church and she survives.

Other survivors include a daughter, Jodi (William) Willoughby Tebeau of Powell; two grandchildren, Camden and Crosby Tebeau; a brother, Brad (Kathy) Willoughby of Tiffin; two sisters-in-law, Darlene Hohman of New Riegel and Donna (Paul) Gosche of Bascom; a brother-in-law, Ron (Kelly) Brickner of North Carolina; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, R. Scott Willoughby, and his wife, Kate.

Brett was a 1964 graduate of Tiffin Calvert Catholic High School, earned his bachelor’s degree from Marian College, and his master’s degree from BGSU. He was a teacher at Fostoria St. Wendelin, Tiffin St. Joseph, and retired from Mohawk School. After retirement, Brett was drawn back into the classroom at New Riegel High School on a part-time basis. He also taught at Tiffin University and Brown Mackie College.

Brett was a well-known figure in athletics in the Tiffin area. He was a member of the Tiffin Officials Association, as he officiated football, basketball, baseball, softball, and volleyball.

In addition to teaching and officiating, Brett coached basketball at St. Wendelin, St. Joseph, and Mohawk. Due to having too much free time, Brett also served as Commissioner of the Midland Athletic League.

In 2000, Brett received a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease, which curtailed his active lifestyle drastically. It did not, however, diminish his love of sports. He remained an avid (though pessimistic) supporter of the Cleveland Indians and Browns. Later on, due to the influence of his son-in-law, he became a fan of hockey and the Columbus Blue Jackets and forever maintained that a 2-goal lead is the worst lead in hockey.

In 2013, Brett unofficially changed his name to “Papa” and relished his duties as Lois’s assistant grandparent.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Willows at Tiffin for all of their caring gestures during Brett’s four-year stay.

Visitation will be Tuesday, July 9, 2024, from 10 to 11 am, with services at 11 am, at TRAUNERO FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY, 214 S. Monroe Street, Tiffin, Ohio 44883 (419) 447-3113. Rev. Tim Kummerer will officiate, and burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Heartland Hospice, F.A.C.T., or to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson's Research Foundation.

To send Online condolences to the family, go to: www.traunerofuneralhome.com.