HUDSON FALLS – Gary R. Gillingham, 57, of Hudson Falls, passed away, on Wednesday, August 21, 2013, at Glens Falls Hospital, following a long illness.
Born on October 2, 1955, in Glens Falls, he was the son of the late John K. and Ruth (Holcomb) Gillingham.
Gary was a 1973 graduate of Warrensburgh High School. After high school, Gary attended Adirondack Community College.
On April 6, 1975, he married Joan Porlier at St. Mary’s St. Paul’s Church in Hudson Falls.
Gary was an employee of TD Bank as a customer service supervisor for 38 years.
He loved camping and hiking in the Adirondacks, especially Minerva and Garnet Lake. Gary enjoyed sports and loved attending his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events. His favorite teams included the Golden Eagles, Glens Falls area hockey, and the Green Jackets. He enjoyed car races, and was forever a New York Jets fan.
Besides his parents, Gary is predeceased by his brother, Robert Gillingham, his sister in law, Dorothy Porlier, and his brother in law, Bob Harrington.
Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Joan (Porlier) Gillingham; his children, Stephen “Steve” Gillingham and his wife Sue, Janelle Gillingham; his grandchildren, Justin Gillingham, and Jenna Gillingham; his brothers, Charles Gillingham and his wife Thelma, John Gillingham and his wife Noreen, Duane Gillingham and his significant other Barb, Dale Gillingham; his sister in law Lynn Gillingham; his sisters, Sue Lackey and her husband George, Dawn Gillingham, Penny Maxam and her husband Kevin; brothers in law, Joe Porlier and his wife Mary, Richard Porlier and his wife Donna, John Porlier and his wife Sue, Art Porlier, Robert Porlier and his wife Diana; his sisters in law, Bella Harrington, Rosalie Burleson and her husband Gerald, Mary Ann Sprague and her husband George, Elaine Porlier, Delia Dwyer and her significant other Wilson Corker, Denise Story, Joan’s twin, Janet Anderson and her husband Bob; and many loving nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and wonderful friends
Special thanks to Dympna Corcoran, for always being there, Jeanne Magliulo, his special nurse who always made him laugh, Dick Saunders, for being a special friend, all the nurses and doctors at the C.R. Wood Cancer Center and ICU, and to Dr. Pillemer, for fighting the fight alongside us the whole way.
Friends may call on Sunday, August 25, 2013, from 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.
A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m., on Monday, August 26, 2013, at the South Glens Falls United Methodist Church , with the Reverend Jeffrey Stratton, pastor, officiating.
A luncheon will follow at the United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to C.R. Wood Cancer Center, 100 Park St, Glens Falls, NY 12801, Fort Edward Rescue Squad Inc., P.O. 226, Fort Edward, NY 12828, High Peaks Hospice, 79 Glenwood Ave., Floor 2, Queensbury, NY 12804 or South High Marathon Dance 42 Merritt RD., South Glens Falls, NY 12803
Sorry for you loss. Joan, you and Gary were always the cheeriest couple. Always smiling and enjoying life. I am sending many hugs and prayers. And Janelle you already have the best dad..
No words are sufficient to express my sadness at the loss of my friend Gary. His gentle, fun loving spirit and willingness to share a laugh and whatever fun he was enjoying seemed to define the friend I knew. I could never begin to express my gratitude that he an my very, very dear friend Joanie were willing to share their world with me, and include me in family nights of watching Janelle do her thing on the basketball court. I felt like part of the family. That’s who they were. Kind, real people who would welcome you into their world with open arms. All you needed to do was accept their invitation into their world…and you were family….How rare, how precious….how deeply appreciated. True, real friends… my adopted family. Sadly, I must say a most loving farewell to my friend, long distance. Please do not discount how much he touched my life because of that. He will be missed in a very real way. I pray I’ll see you on the other side, Gary.
Dear Sue, Dale and all family members left behind. I’m so sorry for the loss of your loved one. God had a better place for him and needed him more. I pray that happier times, and all your memories somehow ease your pain. God bless each of you!
I am so sorry for your loss Joan. My prayers are with you an your family.
I wish to pass along my best to the Gillingham/Holcomb families; I sure remember Gary from our years growing up together in Warrenburg, he always had a kind word to pass along & was a good friend to many. He also took time to always wish us well when any one of us fell ill or injured no matter how he may have felt from treatments. One thing’s for sure, Heaven sure called up an Angel from us to serve there, Heaven just got even better as a result 🙂 May Gary always RIP & if anyone wishes to communicate with me &/or with my brother Mick Leonard, feel free to do so via FB, thank you. Sincerely, Danny Leonard
Sorry for your loss Joan, Janelle and Steve. He will be missed.
We are so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. Praying that your memories bring you comfort at this most difficult time. Love and prayers.
Aunt Joan, Steve, and Janelle,Lynn and I want you to know how sorry we are for your loss of not only a husband, father,and my Uncle but also the most unselfish men I/we have ever known. You and Uncle Gary made Lynn feel so welcome into the Gillingham family especially when Uncle Gary said”in this family we hug” made me feel proud to be a family member. He is an inspiration to us both and will be greatly missed. If we can do anything in any way please don’t hesitate. Our prayers are with you all and may God Bless you and the Gillingham family.
Dear Joannie, Janelle, Steve & Sue and Justin & Jenna, Sue & George and ALL,
So sorry, Gary will be missed. Rest in peace, Gary I will remember your great smile and your loving kindness and gentleness. I am happy to have known him and to be part of his loving family, my good friends and adopted family! I hope and pray you all are comforted knowing he is at peace and resting with our LORD. I am sorry I can not be there, but am with you in my thoughts and prayers…………sending much love, and also regards and prayers from my sister Rosalie and her husband Tracy. You and yours will remain in our prayers.
Love,
(Aunt) Jo Melia
Dear Joanie, Janelle, Steve & Sue,
I are so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May healing begin by knowing Gary is no longer in pain and is at peace.
Tom Dwyer
Dear Joanni and family, Duane, Dale, Dawn and Penny
We were so sad to hear of Gary’s passing. Such fond memories over a lifetime. We will be praying for you all during this time of loss and grieving.
love
Ron and Debbie Burdett
Dear Joan, I am so sorry for your loss. I know my mom will truly miss him. She speaks often of the times she has shared with the two of you, particularly over the course of the past few years. Friendships like these are priceless. My thought & prayers are with you.
Lori Mitchell (Dympna’s youngest)
Sue,Penny & the rest of Gary’s family
Please except my condolences. I am so sorry to hear of your loss.
May you find peace & happiness in your memories of Gary.
Love and prayers
Cousin
Pat Smith & family
So sorry to hear of Gary’s passing, Joan. May the good thoughts and prayers of your friends and family give you peace at this time. George
Sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
Bryan and Carrie Sherman
We lost a wonderful person and a great co-worker. I worked at TD Bank with Gary. He was a great guy always had a kind word and a great smile. So sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathies.
Condolences to the Gillingham family. Please be assured that one day we will see our loved ones again happy and healthy. Jesus promised at John 5:28 & 29 that “all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.” I pray this promise along with loving memories fill your heart with comfort and peace.