Obituary of Gerald Francis Gillespie

GILLESPIE, Gerald Francis – Gerald died peacefully surrounded by his loving family at Bluewater Health on Monday, September 19, 2022 at the age of 81. Beloved husband of Judith. Dear father of Fr. Chris Gillespie, Elizabeth Brooks (Damian), Joanne Dion (Alain), Thien An Gillespie and Tami Gillespie (Cody). Step-father of Richard Spicer (Melanie) and Chris Spicer. Loving grandpa of Stuart, Natasha, Adam, Kaitlyn, Keira, Ava and Stella. Brother of Jim Gillespie and Mike Gillespie. Predeceased by parents Francis and Joyce Gillespie, son Allan and sister Ann. Gerald came to Canada from Scotland in 1970. He worked as a lawyer with the Ontario Government in Toronto and moved to Sarnia in 1973 to become the city solicitor for Sarnia. In 1985 he moved to private practice and in 2005 became a Deputy Judge in the Sarnia Lambton area. He was very active in volunteer work as well, volunteering with St. John’s Ambulance and the Knights of Columbus. He was on the board of the St. Clair Child and Youth Centre and Goodwill. After retirement in 2015, he continued volunteering with Victim Services of Sarnia Lambton and the Red Cross. Gerald was a kind gentle man who enjoyed working with people. One of his great enjoyments was walking with his beloved dogs. He was also an enthusiastic and knowledgeable aquarist. The family would like to thank the compassionate doctors and nurses at University Hospital London ICU and Bluewater Health ICU. Their quiet, loving presence provided much needed comfort to Gerald and his family. In keeping with Gerald’s wishes cremation has taken place. A private family Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church.  Interment at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London. Arrangements entrusted to the McKenzie & Blundy Funeral Home & Cremation Centre. As an expression of sympathy, friends who wish may make donations to Sarnia & District Humane Society, 131 Exmouth St., Sarnia, N7T 7W8, the MS Society, 250 Dundas St W #500, Toronto, ON M5T 2Z5 or https://mssociety.ca/ the Arthritis Society, 204-400 York St., London, N6B 3N2 or https://arthritis.ca/ . Messages of condolence and memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com