John J. Gillespie, Jr., 53, died Friday afternoon in Youngstown.
BOARDMAN -John was born on October, 28, 1966, in Youngstown, Ohio the son of John J. Gillespie and Gayle Christopher Gillespie.
John graduated from St. Edward School and Ursuline High School in 1985. John graduated from Youngstown State University with a degree in criminal justice and served in the United States Marine Corps. John was a Supervisor for the Mahoning County Engineer and was a Deputy Sheriff for the Mahoning County Sherriff’s Office in Youngstown.
John was known for his keen sense of humor and his engaging personality.
John leaves his three (3) sons, Colin Williamson of Youngstown and Jack and Christopher of Boardman. He also leaves his mother and father, Buck and Gayle Gillespie, his sisters Maureen Arneman (Dana) of Pawleys Island, South Carolina, Grace Wagner of Cleveland, Ohio, Shelia (Deacon) Shorr of Santa Barbara, California and Caroline Morse of Shaker Heights, Ohio. He also leaves his nieces Grace Rose Shorr of Paris, France, Annie Arneman of Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte Wagner of Cleveland, Ohio and his nephews Jake Shorr of Houston, Texas and Atticus Shorr of Santa Barbara, California and Tom Arneman of Pawleys Island, South Carolina and Patrick Morse and Joseph Morse of Shaker Heights, Ohio. He also leaves his former wife Bethany Straitiff Gillespie and his many aunts, uncles and cousins of the Christopher and Gillespie families and many other family and friends.
The family will receive friends and family Tuesday from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm at St. Edward Church in Youngstown followed by a memorial Mass at 4:00 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Beatitude House, 238 Tod Lane, Youngstown, Ohio 44504 of which John’ s maternal grandmother Grace Rochford Christopher was an ardent supporter.
Thoughts and condolences may be sent to the funeral home website at www.mccauleyfuneral.com
Arrangements by the McCauley Funeral Home serving the valley for more than 118 years!
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