John (Jack) Gillis

Born: August 5th, 1952

Passed on: August 25th, 2014

John “Jack” Francis Gillis – age 62, Middle Musquodoboit, N.S. It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of John “Jack” on August 25, 2014, in Ontario. He was a son of Mary Bernadette (McPhee) Gillis and the late Gerald F. Gillis. Born and raised in Antigonish, N.S., where he met his soulmate, Ida, at St. F.X.; they were happily married for 39 years. He was the beloved father of Melissa (Matt Feagan), Nanaimo, B.C.; Keith (Charissa Isaacs), Truro; Aimee (Anthony Melatti), Montreal; Sarah (Noah Yates), Toronto; John, Petawawa; Christopher, Montreal; Nathan (Ashley), Nine Mile River; Kevin (Legionaires of Christ), Cupertino, California; grandchildren, Sofia, Siena, Mariano, Gabriel Melatti; Elsie Feagan; brothers, Robert (Dorothy), Hatchet Lake; Joseph (Yvette), Stillwater Lake; Paul, Greg, both of Antigonish; Michael, Halifax; sisters, Mary MacDougall, Antigonish; Anne Vallee (Richard), Timberlea; sister-in-law, Bonnie Gillis, Antigonish; mother and father-in-law, Sophie and Sylvain Richard, Summerside, along with numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by brother, Peter; nephew, Marc Vallee; brothers-in-law, Allan Richard, Robert Croken; nephew John Hodgson. Jack spent 37 years as a professional engineer in the oil and gas industry working all over the world, ending his successful career in Egypt from where he retired in March. Jack and Ida loved to travel and made many friends wherever they went. Jack and Ida called Middle Musquodoboit home, from where they raised their family and were involved in church and community. Jack will be remembered for his infectious smile, zest for life, one-of-a-kind laugh, love of family and strong faith. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him, for he was taken suddenly and far too soon. Visitation will be Friday from 1-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., and funeral service will be Saturday at 1 p.m., both in Holy Cross Catholic Church, 11645 Hwy. 224, Middle Musquodoboit, Father Tom Kurudeepan OMI officiating. Interment to follow in the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heart & Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia or Campaign Life Nova Scotia. Online condolences may be made by visiting: http://johnfgillis.inmemoriam.ca/ Arrangements are under the direction of Arimathea Funeral Cooperative, Upper Musquodoboit.