Robert P. Gillespie, 90, of Calcium, passed away Wednesday evening on May 17th at the Samaritan Medical Center following a brief illness.
A prayer service will be 9:15 am on Tuesday, May 23rd at the Reed & Benoit Funeral Home followed by a 10 am funeral mass at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church with Rev. Jonas Tondayu officiating. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery. Calling hours are Monday, May 22nd from 4 pm – 8 pm at the Reed & Benoit Funeral Home.
Robert is survived by three sons Timothy (Kathy), Stafford; Patrick (Nancy), Rochester; Michael (Joni), Dexter; four daughters Margaret (Marshall) Beck, The Villages, FL; Carol Gillespie, San Francisco, CA; Joan Burke, Syracuse; Laura Gillespie, Calcium; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; his brother Thomas (Terry), FL and Henderson Harbor; one nephew.
He was predeceased by his wife Patricia M. in 2007, a son Ronald P. in 2003, a daughter Janet in 1956 and a sister Mary in infancy.
Robert was born in Shamokin Dam, Pennsylvania in 1927, a son to Frederick and Anna Rossini Gillespie. He was educated at schools in Baltimore, MD and Manhattan, NYC. He was a veteran of WW II enlisting in 1944. He served in the South Pacific with the 40th and 7th Divisions.
Following his honorable discharge from the military, Robert worked for the New York Telephone Company as a lineman for 30 years, retiring in 1977. He then went to work at Fort Drum as a civilian employee electrician for several years.
Robert married Patricia Loftus at St. Patrick’s Church, November 19, 1949. Mr. and Mrs. Gillespie spent many winters in Florida. Mrs. Gillespie, a retired Post Master at the Calcium Post Office, passed away December 7, 2007.
Mr. Gillespie owned and operated a Herford cattle farm and held his private pilot’s license. He was a member of Our lady of the Sacred Heart Church and the Dudes and Darlins Square Dance Club with his wife for many years. He was a member and former fire commissioner of the Calcium Fire Department and a Boy Scout Troop 38 leader for many years. Robert was a member of the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association), flying locally and cross country.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Calcium Fire Department, 24527 County Road, Calcium, NY 13616.
Condolences may be made online at www.reedbenoit.com