John Gillespie Obituary

GILLESPIE, JOHN JOSEPH, of Williamsburg, passed away on May 22, 2004 at Orlando Regional Sand Lake Hospital a month after an 80th birthday bash with his family. John was a technical writer, logistics engineer and public relations manager who worked or consulted for the Franklin Arsenal, Renner, RCA, the Pennsylvania Company, Chrysler, Hale- Kulgren, Corning, International Latex, United Technologies and others over a 50+ year professional career. He worked on many major projects of the era including the Apollo space suit, the Gemini program, the B-1, M-60, various helicopters, field radios, inflatable boats and life rafts. John was born in Philadelphia. His childhood was spent there and in the Bronx, Atlantic City and Bar Harbor. Despite playing hooky on occasion to take in the Gypsy Rose Lee show at the Troc, he graduated with high honors from West Catholic and then lived wherever the work took him: Levittown, PA; Dover, DE; Sterling Heights, MI; Akron, OH and many other places. He came to Florida to consult for Martin-Marietta and retired here. John was a foster parent for Catholic Social Services over a five year period. He was involved in many organizations including the Knights of Columbus, the Holy Name Society, Boy Scouts and Toastmasters International. He won many public speaking awards and took great pride in the many members he mentored. As an outgoing and talkative senior citizen, he left his brand of "poetic prose" with many a friend, neighbor and check-out clerk. Mr. Gillespie is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dorothy, who works for Youth Basketball of America; his daughter-in-law, Bernice, a jewelry maker and teacher; and his son, John, a geologist in Billings, MT. He doted on his ten year old granddaughter, Megan. A casual Memorial will be held in Williamsburg at the Lime Tree Club House, 5303 Gateway Avenue, Orlando on Saturday, June 12 from 11AM-1PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions are being accepted and will be forwarded to the Salvation Army.