Obituary of Thomas Roderick Gillis

Thomas Roderick "Rod" Gillis, 87, of Ashville, NY and Shelby, NC, passed away at 5:10 pm Wednesday, May 8, 2019, in his home in North Carolina. An area resident for most of his life, he was born December 21, 1931 in Collins, NY, a son of the late Raymond Archibald and Bertha Martin Gillis. Rod was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving from 1950-1953 aboard the USS LST 521. Before his retirement, he was the owner and operator of Gillis Brothers Well Drilling in Ashville, NY for 60 years. He was former communicant of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Gowanda, NY and attended mass in Florida, and North Carolina. He was also a member of the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club, the Herman Kent Post 777 American Legion, Celoron, NY. Joyce and Rod enjoyed traveling and going on cruises. He looked forward to spending the winter months in Florida with his wife. Rod also loved spending time with his family and playing horseshoes at the camp that he built in Busti, NY. Surviving are his wife of 67 years, Joyce F. Crandall Gillis, a daughter; Connie (Daniel) Goldberg of Panama, NY, three sons; Thomas R. Gillis, Todd M. (Michelle) Gillis both of Mooresboro, NC, Timothy R. (JoAnne) Gillis of Gowanda, NY, 12 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters; Bertie Draggert, Margaret Hoffman, Dorothy Gillis, Mary Shepherd, a brother; Edward Gillis and a grandson; Dennis Bogart. A memorial service will be held at 2 pm Sunday, June 23, 2019, in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Darrell G. Duffy, pastor of St. James Catholic Church will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Sunset Hill Cemetery where graveside military honors will be conducted at 11 am Monday, June 24, 2019. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service on Sunday, June 23, 2019 in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Herman Kent Post 777, American Legion, 26 Jackson Ave. Jamestown, NY 14701 or to Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150.