Obituary of Donald Francis Gillis

It is with profound sadness and a great sense of loss that we announce the peaceful passing of Donald "Don" Francis Gillis on Thursday, August 20, 2015 at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Don leaves behind a legacy of love, generosity, humour, and community service – having enriched the lives of all who knew him. Faith-filled, and eternally humble – Don was a true gentleman. Born in Saint John in 1947, Don graduated from St. Malachy’s Memorial High School, and then from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax. He attained his CRA designation through the Appraisal Institute of Canada and enjoyed a long career as a property appraiser for the Province of New Brunswick. To all who knew him, Don was a passionate person – whether it was his relationship with his family, his hockey fandom (Go Leafs! Go Sea Dogs!), or his commitment to his community. A life-long resident of the uptown area, Don was a fervent supporter of Saint John and showed that through many years of volunteerism. Over the years he volunteered recreationally and professionally for Saint John Youth Minor Hockey, the Saint John Heritage Preservation Review Board, the Planning Advisory Committee of Saint John, Saint John Non-Profit Housing, marriage preparation at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, and he was member and volunteer for the Liberal Party. He was a loving, devoted husband and best friend to his cherished wife of 45 years, Anne Marie. As a father, he deeply loved his four children Michael, Stephen, Kathryn and Peter. Later in life, his love grew even more as he became a dear Papa to Matthew, Sophie, Briar and Mackenzie. And we must mention how much he loved his dog, Fiona. He will be mourned by his brothers John and his wife Heather, and Hugh and his partner John; sister-in-law Patricia Craig and husband Patrick; sister-in-law Joni Donahue and husband Paul; sister-in-law Nancy Savage; sister-in-law Lynn Edgecombe and husband Christopher; daughters-in-law Deborah and Helen and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his parents Jack and Josie Gillis and his infant son Peter. Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, (634-7424), with visiting on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23, 2015 from 4-8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, 91 Waterloo St., Saint John, on Monday, August 24, 2015 at 10:00 AM. Interment will be held in Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cathedral Restoration Project, St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation, Heart & Stroke Foundation, Kidney Foundation of New Brunswick or a charity of the donor’s choice.