Robert J. Gillis

Robert J. Gillis, Senior born August 11, 1930, passed away Tuesday May 6, 2014 with his family present at Adirondack Medical Center. Bob was the child of Edna Rule Gillis Bellows and Charles Gillis of Tupper Lake. Bob was predeceased by his loving wife, Maggi Gillis in 2011. He is survived by his five children, nine grandchildren and one great grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews. He also survived by his younger brother, Roland (Sonny) Gillis and his wife Jeannette; his wife Maggi's twin sister, Maureen Hull Root and his brother-in-law James Frenette all of Tupper Lake. His children are Kathleen and William Sparks of Lutz, Florida; Jane and David Gillis-La Liberte of Vancouver, Washington; Barbara and Brian Gillis-Bonneau of Skowhegan, Maine; Rob and Lisa Gillis, and John and Patty Gillis of Tupper Lake. The grandchildren include Rob and John Sparks, Eliot La Liberte, Lyndon, Colin, and Ian Gillis, Henry Bonneau, and Libby and Riley Gillis. His great grandchild is Connor Sparks son of John and Lauren Sheasley-Sparks of Tampa, Florida.

Bob was a veteran serving in the Armed Service during the Korean war in the European Theater. Bob's life was full of many wonderful experiences including piloting his own airplane, being an Adirondack Guide, outdoorsman and proud member of Flat Rock hunting camp. In 1951 Bob married the love of his life, Maggi, and together they raised five energetic children on the shores of Moody. At various times, he worked for J&L Steel at Bensen Mines, was sole proprietor of his welding shop on Underwood Rd, helped Maggi run Country Cottages in Moody, and eventually joined in his wife's project the Market Place, and a caretaker at Three Star Camp on Little Simond Pond. In retirement Bob and Maggi traveled throughout the United States in their motor home. Bob and Maggi were campground hosts during their travels and docents of Cape Blanco Lighthouse in Port Orford, Oregon. Bob was also a councilman in Tupper Lake and a volunteer for many of his children's pursuits. As a father, as our dad, he was loving and supportive of our many endeavors providing a sensible, albeit quiet answer to many of the families struggles and successes. As an accomplished woodworker, Bob gifted many family and friends with his artistic creations.

Bob's life will be celebrated on Friday, May 9, 2014 at Stuart, Fortune, and Keough Funeral Home, 24 Cliff Avenue, Tupper Lake from 4-6 pm and service at 6 pm.