Brian Willis, 89, of Essex, beloved husband of Rosemary Willis, died in his home on Sept. 30. Born in London, England, on Jan. 22, 1932, he was the son of Reginald and Violet Emily (Schnell) Willis of Enfield, England.

Brian was educated in England and emigrated in November 1970 with his wife and two young children to Long Island, New York, where they remained until moving to Connecticut in 1986. During his career with cosmetics company Helena Rubenstein, Brian rose to vice president and plant manager of its Secaucus, New Jersey facilities. Brian continued his career at Colonial, Inc., before starting a fulfillment company in New Haven.

While raising a family, Brian enjoyed camping and fishing trips, wood working and creative tinkering, and slowly building a vacation home in the Adirondack mountains. After retirement, Brian became an avid painter and showed his works in several local exhibitions. In Essex, he served on both the Deep River and Essex land trusts as well as the Ancient Order of Weeders. Brian and Rosemary enjoyed taking winter trips to destinations in the Caribbean as well as spending time with friends and family. Brian supported the Tottenham Hotspurs football club, all things tennis, and loved exchanging puns with friends and strangers alike. Brian will be missed by friends and family in the United States, Great Britain, and Canada.

Brian is survived by his sister Beryl and her husband Rex Loudoun of Scotland; two sons, Michael and his wife Julie Willis of Berlin, Massachusetts, and Craig and his wife Stephanie Willis of Westport; and five grandchildren, Adam, Rebecca, Joshua, Olivia, and Andrew.

A private funeral service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Brian Willis to The Estuary of Old Saybrook at www.yourestuary.org. To share memories or express condolences online, please visit the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home at www.rwwfh.com.