My Brother - The Quiet Hero

    Allan Hillman was born on April 11, 1940 and died on March 1, 2000, and he was my brother and my hero all the days between.

    The sudden and untimely death of Allan shocked his family and friends to their very core. He gave no indication preceding his death that the end was near. We could not say, "good bye". We could not say "we love you". We could not say, "Hey, brother, Dad, Husband, Uncle, Son, Son-in-law, YOU are our hero".

    Allan was not only my brother, he was also my my business partner. Ironically, we are celebrating our 37th year at Cloverleaf Family Bowl this month (March). He touched every member of our Cloverleaf Crew and interacted with each one. I know he is missed terribly at home by Sharon, is loving wife of 40 years, but he is also terribly missed at the bowl.

    My older brother was my teacher and protector growing up in Oakland and later in Fremont. As we grew together in the bowling business, he pushed me out front and supported my involvement in the local, state and national bowling proprietor associations. I would like to feel that Allan took pride in seeing me advance outside of Cloverleaf and knew he had a very big hand in that development.

    When a 200 average and a 300 game meant something, Allan had already achieved both. He was listed with a 200 average by the Alameda County Bowling Association in the 1960's when there may have been a mere dozen names in that category. He garnered ten (10) sanctioned 300 games along the way, as he gained great respect as both a superior ball driller and a talented bowler.

    Allan was a wonderful husband to his wife Sharon and a super Dad to his children Susan and Michael. Where he really excelled was his eight grandchildren providing love and attention that he would so enjoy giving.

    The Hillman Family will miss Allan and will have a most difficult time filling the hole left in our hearts with his passing.

    We wish to sincerely Thank the hundreds of extended family and friends who have sent their condolences and have made donations to the Marian Hillman Memorial Scholarship Fund in Allan's Memory. Your love and friendship will help us through this incredible struggle to cope.

    My brother - the Quiet Hero, never sought the limelight, but the limelight has finally caught up to him. The light shines brightly on him, now and forever.

                Don Hillman, Allan's Brother