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John's Grandchildren posted a condolence
Friday, November 20, 2015
My Grandpa was the strongest man I’ve ever known. Not everyone gets the chance to know their Grandparents, but I’m especially lucky to have grown up so close to mine.
My grandpa was the 5th child out of 7 born to the Gillespie family. He was Nanny’s baby boy, and a character from the very beginning. I loved listening to all of the stories he told us about when he was growing up. One of my favorites was when he was in the first grade and got kept after school for misbehaving. At some point the teacher stepped out of the room, and Grandpa climbed out the window because his older brother was outside telling him they had to get home. That poor teacher must have been a wreck when she went back into the room and saw him gone and the window open. Like I said, Grandpa was a character. Killa was his name for everyone. He never wanted to forget anyones name, so to be sure not to insult anyone, he called everyone Killa. As for my sister and I, the greeting was always “Hi Gorgeous” followed by “you get better looking everyday” to which we would say “we look like you Grandpa” and he would reply “yeah you're good looking”.
My grandpa was a good man. That’s another expression he used for the people that he loved. If you weren't “Gorgeous”, you were “Good Man”. He never had a bad word for anyone. People say things like that all the time, but in the case of my Grandpa, it’s true. He never held a grudge and he never had a bad word for anyone. He loved my Grandma most of all. They were married 61 years and one of my last memories of him was him rubbing Grandma’s head and telling her “you're a good nurse Joanie, you take good care of me”. My grandma did take good care of him, and he appreciated it, and loved her for it. Their marriage is a beautiful example for all of us.
Grandma took care of Grandpa and they both took care of us. His family was the most important thing to him. He never missed an important event in any of his grandchildren's lives. No matter what, Grandpa and Grandma were there. They brought us to school in the morning and picked us up every afternoon. Grandpa would even brush our hair. My mom and my aunts used to joke about that, they’d say “Dad you never combed our hair”, and he’d just laugh. I guess Grandpa softened with age. He may have gotten softer, but he always stayed strong.
He was a strong, independent, proud, tough old Irish guy. Just two weeks ago he walked around the corner for a haircut, with my Grandma yelling after him to come back inside. He would have none of it. He needed a haircut and he was going to get one. Grandma’s prayers for him to come home safely were answered more than once. Grandpa had an angel on his shoulder keeping him safe and we are all very thankful for that. As they say “you can’t keep a good man down”. He made it to church every Sunday no matter what, and in the end he was rewarded. While we have known of his illness for around 2 months, he was only really sick for a few days. That gave us a good few weeks for dinners together and lots of chances to shower him with love. In the end our prayers were answered, and Grandpa wasn’t sick for long.
If you look at my cousins, the twins and I, we each have a little bit of Killa in us. It’s going to be difficult without him, but I know that he isn't gone. He’s with us in our memories and most importantly in our hearts. We love you Grandpa!
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Kathy Lock posted a condolence
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Rest in peace Uncle John. A great husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. You will be missed. My prayers to Aunt Joan and family.
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Tommy Gillespie posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Dear Joan and family..
Please accept our condolences. My father wished he could attend the wake. He has memory, sight, and hearing problems of late. He hasn’t wondered into Brooklyn in 6 years. I am afraid he will get lost, and will be unable to see, with the sun setting so early.
I enjoyed the video of your John that was posted. I will show it to my father, the next time I am in New York..
Your John seemed to have a very full and happy life, surrounded by Joan, his children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Please take comfort knowing he is at peace and with the Lord in heaven. May God rest his soul..
With Sympathy,
John, Sheila, and Tommy Gillespie
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Christine O'Brien posted a condolence
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
My thoughts and prayers
Are with you. I love you.
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Patricia Gillespie uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
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Patricia Gillespie uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
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Patricia Gillespie uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
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Patricia Gillespie uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
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Patricia Gillespie uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
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Patricia Gillespie uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
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Patricia Gillespie uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
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Debra Chouinard McGowan posted a condolence
Monday, November 16, 2015
To the Gillespie family, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of KILLER...We have lost a great, great man today. I am thankful to have had him in my life..he was one of my favorite uncles..who always played with me..kidded around with me...showed me so much love and attention as a kid..and for this I am thankful....He left me with some pretty amazing childhood memories. He was my mom's brother...Aunt Joans other half and a wonderful dad to my 3 cousins.....he was awesome with his grandchildren I am sure because he always paid extra attention to the kids....It is at times like this that I wish I still lived in New York so I can be there at his funeral..please know I am there in spirit....I love you Uncle John...may you rest in peace....Love, Debra
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Kourtney - Marine Park Funeral Home posted a symbolic gesture
Monday, November 16, 2015
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The family of John Gillespie uploaded a photo
Monday, November 16, 2015
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