Obituary of Alan Chester Gillis

Alan Chester Gillis Machias and Orrington Alan C. Gillis, 79, died peacefully February 23, 2016 after a brief illness surrounded by his family. He was born September 14, 1936 in Boston, Mass. the son of Alan F. and Marion (Hunter) Gillis. Alan enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1955 and served on active duty at Shaw Air Force Base in S.C. until 1959. He later enlisted in the Maine Air National Guard and served with the 101st Air Refueling Wing in Bangor from 1972 through 1991. In his civilian life he was a computer programmer for Diamond International in Bangor and later retired from James River Corporation in Old Town. He spent the next 19 years in retirement as a volunteer driver for LYNX. Alan led a life full of a variety of interests. He was an avid waterfowl hunter and spent many memorable opening days on Merrymeeting Bay. He loved goose hunting in northern Maine and black duck hunting along the Downeast coast. He liked to camp and loved to read. He will always be remembered for the doughboys he made to perfection at the countless family gatherings. He loved to travel and he and Judy made many trips to Canada, especially enjoying the Gaspé Peninsula. However, above all else, nothing meant more to him than time spent with his family. Alan is survived by his loving wife of 10 years, Judith (Frost) Gillis and her family, his brothers Thomas Gillis and his wife Stephanie, Bill Russell and his wife Sandy and his sister Janet Gillis and her husband David Reamy. He is also survived by his daughter Susan and her husband Mark Farley and their children Alayna Morang and Steven Farley, his son Alan Gillis and his wife Judy and their children Kristin Wallace, Courtney Hyde, Alan Gillis Jr (AJ) and Isabella Gillis, and his daughter Melissa and her husband Ray Bessette and her children Cameron and Mackenzie Coutts, and his five great grandchildren, Emmaline, Luke, Carter, Sophia and Claire. He will be fondly remembered by his cousin Chet Gillis and his family, his nieces Leslie and Amy and his nephews, Tom, Stephen and Chet and their families. Family and friends are invited to share their stories and laughter at his home at 103 Johnson Mill Road in Orrington from 1-4 p.m., Saturday, February 27, 2016. In lieu of flowers vote Republican. But seriously, donations may be made to the animal shelter that he supported, Ark Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 276, Cherryfield, ME 04622.