ONEONTA – Brin R. Mileski, 83, died peacefully on November 11, 2018 at the NYS Veterans Home in Oxford, NY.

He was born February 23, 1935 in Wilkes-Barre, PA to Alfred and Dorothy Meleski. In 1952 his family moved to Syracuse.  He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in September 1953.  After 3 years of active duty, he returned to civilian life but remained in the reserves until 1961.

Returning to Syracuse, he was working at General Electric, where he met his future wife Joan T. Angellotti. They married on January 12, 1958 and choose to settle in her hometown of Oneonta where they raised four children.

Brin worked for Bell Atlantic for 36 years as a telephone lineman. After retiring in 1999 he continued his college education, traveled to Vero Beach, Fl and sometimes to Arizona for several weeks. He and Joan enjoyed meeting up with a special group of friends each year. Even though they loved the warmth of the sun and the sand beneath their feet, they couldn't stay away from their grandchildren for very long.

Disciplined when it came to staying physically fit, Brin played flag football for "The Rail", jogged and lifted weights. He studied and trained for several years, eventually earning his Black Belt in Karate.  He loved trains, history of the Railroad and the Round House in Oneonta, and had a collection of Lionel Trains. If he wasn't working on a home improvement project, you could find him in his work area tweeking something on his train table.  His favorite football teams were the Miami Dolphins and The Giants.

He survived by his children, Jim and Ann Mileski, Colleen "Candy" and Robert Rowley, Brin and Beverly Mileski, and Lance Mileski; grandchildren, Jami, Sara, Erica, Tristan and Braden; brothers, Al Meleski and Robert and Nancy Meleski; sisters, Marjorie Profit and Cheryl and Nick Marotta; many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife; his parents; brother, Bernard Meleski; sisters, Catherine Roberts and Dee O'Donoghey.

The family would like to thank the NYS Veterans Home for the excellent care given to Brin, and also Kathleen at the funeral home for your patience and professionalism.

There will be a private service with military honors at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Emmons.

Arrangements are by Oneonta's only family-owned funeral home, Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono at 51 Dietz Street; www.lhpfuneralhome.com