Gerald Joseph Gillespie

GERALD JOSEPH GILLESPIE, 85, died peacefully on Feb. 9, 2012 at Overlook Hospital after a short illness. Born in Jeannette, Pennsylvania, to Mark J. Gillespie and Barbara (Broker) Gillespie, he earned a bachelor's degree in Chemistry and Mathematics at Georgetown University and did graduate work in Chemical Engineering at Carnegie-Mellon University. He worked as a Research Chemist in plastics and coatings for Koppers Company and US Steel Corporation. He also served in the Army Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1945. He is survived by his sister, Mary, and wife, Charlotte (Jaquish). They were married 62 years, and traveled the world after his retirement. They were parents to four children: Mark (Carol), John (Susan), Catherine Diaz (René); he was predeceased by son Gerald Robbins. He was grandfather to eight (Robert, Daniel, T. Isaac, David, Christopher, Steven, Benjamin, Joel), and great-grandfather to one (Abigail), and enjoyed spending time with family at the beach, as well as playing golf, and was an avid baseball fan. Visitors will be received at Gray's Funeral Home at 318 E. Broad St in Westfield on Monday, Feb. 13, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm (a remembrance service will take place at 8 pm). A funeral will take place at Gray's on Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 10 am, with interment following. Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, 315 First Street, Westfield NJ 07090.