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Paul Gillmor Obituary
The aide said the body of the 68-year-old Republican was found by staff members who went to his apartment after he failed to show up for work. There was no immediate word on the cause of his death. Gillmor's office did not respond to a reporter's call.
Gillmor, who represented Ohio's 5th District in the Bowling Green area of the state, was first elected to Congress in 1988.
The aide spoke on condition of anonymity pending an official announcement.
Gillmor, who served as a judge advocate in the Air Force after graduating law school, won a seat in the Ohio state senate in 1966, and served there for 22 years, rising to the senate presidency. After an unsuccessful run for governor in 1986, Gillmor was elected to the U.S. House in 1988 after eking out a 27-vote victory in the primary.
As a House member was a little-known but solid Republican vote, and a reliable conservative on social issues.
He led legislative efforts in such areas as cleanups of commercially contaminated sites known as brownfields and enacting financial service reforms. He was also a strong advocate of a constitutional amendment to ban unfunded mandates on the states.
He is survived by his wife and five children.
Copyright © 2007 The Associated Press
53 Entries
Robert Ruberg
September 15, 2007
We have lost a gentleman, an American hero, a true patriot. Our deepest sympathies to the Gillmor family.
Cynthia and Robert Ruberg
Ohio Wesleyan University Alumni Association
September 14, 2007
On behalf of the Ohio Wesleyan University Community, we share in the loss of a truly remarkable man. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Dean Algeo
September 12, 2007
I helped Paul in his early campaigns in the 60's when I lived in Tiffin. He was a fine legislator. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Tiffin E League Baseball Dan Waters, Rick Frederick, Bob Wilson
September 12, 2007
Our deepest sympathy to the Gillmor Family. We have truly lost a good friend. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
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Tiffin Parks & Recreation Steve Dryfuse & Matt Coleman
September 12, 2007
Our deepest sympathy to the Gillmor Family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Blake Dowlin
September 12, 2007
I interned in Congressman Gillmor's D.C. office Fall 2006. I wish the best for his family and the staff members I worked closely with during my internship. He truly was a great man and his public service is worth emulating. I'm very sad to hear of his passing away. My thoughts go everyone close to him and his constituents back home.
Best wishes,
Blake Dowlin
Holli (Hummel) Booth
September 11, 2007
My deepest sympathies go out to you, Karen, and the children. My late father drove for Gillmor Trucking when Paul was a boy, and I will forever remember him as 'Skip'. May God comfort you all.
Kristen Green-Brinkman
September 11, 2007
Dear Gillmor Family:
My prayers, thoughts and heart are with you all today! Cong. Gillmor as he watched over you all today I'm sure was very proud. Those young men so mature, supporting and loving their mother with such grace. Mrs. Gillmor, your love, strength and courage inspired all of us in the room and how fortunate PG was to travel with you as well. HE must be so proud of his family today! As we all are!
God Bless and Rest in Peace PG!,
Kristen Green Brinkman
(page for PEG 1988) :)
Dick and Rosie Voorhies
September 11, 2007
Our sympathy to the Gillmor family.
Mother refered to Paul as a second son.
vicki mowery
September 11, 2007
the world has lost a wonderful man and great poltician. i have waited on mr. gillmor several times at bob evans in dublin, ohio on post road. he was avery good gentleman, and it was agreat pleasure to see him. mrs. gillmore my deepest symmpathy to you and you family at this time.
Jill Bradway
September 11, 2007
The world has lost a wonderful man. My prayers are with his family. Rest in peace Paul.
Rev. James Brown
September 10, 2007
My sympthy to Karen, family and friends at Paul's sudden death. He was a great man who set a high standard for the political process both for Ohio and for the Country. He will be missed.
My prayers and wishes of peace be with you.
God bless you.
Alternations By Mary Kirk
September 10, 2007
To the Gillmor family my deepest condolescences for your lost. Mary Kirk
Judy Meyer
September 10, 2007
Karen--My thoughts and prayers are being sent to you and your sons. So sorry for your sudden loss! May God help you and guide you!
Love, Judy
(from Whetstone Dental)
THOMAS & ANDREA MEADOWS
September 10, 2007
OUR FAMILY WISHES YOU OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHIES, AND OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.
Clifford Kurt
September 10, 2007
Representative Gillmor was truly a man of the people, a man of princples and desire to better his country, which is an increasing rarity on Capitol Hill. I admired his integrity and passion for public service. May you rest in peace, Mr. Gillmor. May your family take solace in knowing you truly changed the world and left it a better place than you found it. And may your example inspire those who follow.
September 10, 2007
May the Lord comfort your family during this time of sorrow. What a legacy Mr. Gillmor is leaving behind!
Peace be with you all.
Pam Frazier(Toledo,OH)
Tom & Lynn Green
September 10, 2007
We have lost a close and dear friend and Karen and the kids have lost a wonderful husband and father. PG was the epitome of what a good public servant should be. We were privileged to enjoy his friendship as was our daughter, Kristen, who had the opportunity to work for him early in her career. Rest peacefully good and loyal servant!! We are so sorry, Karen!
Donna Smith
September 8, 2007
Dear Paul,
You will always be remembered for your genuine and truly kind heart. You were a Prince among men. Sincerest sympathies to your family especially Linda, Julie, sister Diane.
Edward Turner
September 7, 2007
Paul,Karen and Family,
Thank you and your family for the wonderful gift of your life and public service. You have made such a special difference in the global community. You will be missed.
Sincerely,
Edward E. Turner and the SERB Family
Mykael Gregory
September 6, 2007
i'm so sorry for the loss in the family and to Ohio. you will have my prayers to get throu this. best of luck and deep sympathies. thank-you for serving ohio and me.
-Mykael G.
-Lucassville, Ohio
Fred & Claudia Guzzo
September 6, 2007
Dear Karen and Family,
Fred and I are so sorry to hear of your loss. Paul was a wonderful man and a great asset to government. He will be missed, not only here in Cuyahoga County but throughout the country.
Justin Barnhart
September 6, 2007
I was able to serve as an intern in Congressman Gillmor's Defiance office this summer. Little did I know it would be my last chance to learn from a great statesman who lived to serve his constituency and loved his family. I am saddened by our country's loss and pray for the well being of the Congressman's family.
Henryk Zaleski (USN-Ret)
September 6, 2007
Rest in peace and thank you for all that you have done for us.
Rev. Ronald Talbot
September 6, 2007
To the Family of Representative Paul Gillmor, R-Ohio,
We will miss a great Statesman; our prayers be with you.
Ian Nassau
September 6, 2007
To Karen and the Gillmor Family: I am so sorry to have heard of your loss. Paul was a good husband and a good father and he served his constituency well. He will most certainly be missed by so many. My condolences, thoughts, and prayers are with you.
Annette Pegues
September 6, 2007
To The Gilmore
May each of you find comfort in the God of all Comfort during this time.
He promises that the day is coming in which he will wipe the tears of sorrow from our eyes forever and death will be no more.
Corey M. Roblee
September 6, 2007
I was fortunate enough to have a private audience with Representative Gillmor during a business trip to DC last year. Rep. Gillmor and I had never met, but he welcomed me into his office as if I were an old friend. It was the day after election day, so the topics discussed were Ohio's political climate and election aftermath. If my memory serves me correctly, Rep. Gillmor also favored an unlit or snuffed-out cigar that day as he leaned back into his reclining chair behind his desk that overlooked the Capitol. The office wreaked of political history... pictures with dignitaries, awards, certificates, official knick-knacks and family photos. It was apparent that Rep. Gillmor had "been around" for some time.
As we spoke I listened to him intently, but I found myself in awe of his presence. He was a soft-spoken man, but he projected himself in a fashion that demanded respect... the type of respect that one receives without having to act as if it is owed to him.
I knew who was sitting before me. I was well aware of his accomplishments in the Ohio Legislature and US Congress. But what I didn't realize (until I was sitting before him) was the feeling I would experience as I sat and absorbed his counsel and tutelage as one of Ohio greatest leaders during my lifetime.
Rep. Gillmor was a Great American and a Great Ohioan. I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to know him for those 20 minutes and experience a piece of American History.
Rep. Gillmor said it best during our conversation. It regard to the election outcome, Rep. Gillmor said this (and it speaks volumes about him and his understanding of the citizens of Ohio):
"Ohioans always understand what is best for our State and our Nation. They always vote their conscience and they always get it right. As goes Ohio, so goes the Nation."
William Green
September 5, 2007
Congressman Gillmor, always took time for the people. He loved to talk about Ohio and the days when he was Mr. President. He made Ohio happy to see him on C-span during debates and when he was presiding over the US House. God Bless the Gillmor family and the citizens of Ohio
ED SCHOBER
September 5, 2007
SYMPATHY TO KAREN AND THE GILLMOR CHILDREN. PEACE AND BLESSINGS IN YOUR TIME OF NEED.
Laura Smith
September 5, 2007
I am deeply saddened by the loss of a man who worked hard for the betterment of not only Ohio, but for the entire country. Congressman Gillmor truly took the time to visit his constituents. I remember a couple years ago, we were scheduled for a visit through the Capitol Building. It was such a very hot day that his staff invited us into his office. Unfortunately, we were not able to meet Representative Gillmor because he was spending time back home visiting the people. God bless his family and friends at this time.
donn lidington
September 5, 2007
Knew Paul when I was a page in the Ohio Senate 1965. He was a very decent and concerned man. He will be missed. DRL
Joel Spitzer
September 5, 2007
A true Republican but more a true human being who cared about people!
Shelly Cathey
September 5, 2007
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
I grew up in Lindsey and have fond memories of Rep. Gillmor.
His office was always wonderful to us.
Mike Risko
September 5, 2007
Paul was a true conservative and a good person ... my prayers for the repose of his soul and comfort for his family.
Sherry Williams
September 5, 2007
Dear Gillmor Family:
The loss of Congressman Gillmor will be felt by many less fortunate who have benefitted from his good work. He was a member of our Congressional Vision Caucus and supported our mission of healthy vision for a lifetime! His good works will live on.
Sherry Williams
President & CEO
Prevent Blindness Ohio
D.L. ZIMMERMAN
September 5, 2007
REST IN PEACE PAUL GILLMOR
Mary Anne Sharkey
September 5, 2007
Dear Paul -
You were a true gentleman in a profession that does not encourage gentlemanly ways.
During a turbulent period in Ohio's history, you presided over the Ohio Senate with grace and dignity. You kept your sense of perspective no matter how ugly the internal attack, and worked in an open caucus and a bi-partisan manner.
We would not have the partisan, mud-in-your eye politics of today had more followed your example.
There was never a hint of corruption in your many years of public life, not many others can leave this life with that legacy.
Sympathy to your wife, Karen, adult daughters, and young boys.
Michael Beer
September 5, 2007
Paul Gillmor was the most genuine, nicest Members of Congress in Ohio or Washington. He will be deeply missed.
Jim Battershell, Jr
September 5, 2007
Democrats and Republicans have lost a champion of pragmatism. Paul was loyal to his party, but as evidenced by his call for AG Alberto Gonzales resignation, had a strong sense of what is right and wrong.
God Bless You and your family.
Chet & Beth Kurtz
September 5, 2007
May God bless you and your family at this time of sorrow.
Ron & Elizabeth Crump
September 5, 2007
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Carol Pierce Mix
September 5, 2007
I can only say that Paul was a genuine person who represented his district well in the Ohio Senate and in Congress. My heart goes out to the boys and his daughters for their loss of a great father. And, special prayer for Karen who will continue to rear their sons who will always remember their Dad and the shared good times. My sympathy to all in the Gillmor family.
Betty Hagan
September 5, 2007
My deepest condolences for the loss of your husband and father. May God be with you during this sorrowful time.
Zac Guthrie
September 5, 2007
Prayers and thoughts go out to the Gillmor family!
Sincerely,
The SportsOhio Staff
Brad B.
September 5, 2007
My sincerest sympathy to the family. I will keep you all, especially Julie and Kevin, in my prayers and thought.
Sheila Smith
September 5, 2007
Rest in Peace Paul.
Irene c morrison
September 5, 2007
sorry for your loss he is in gods hands may god help you in your sad time
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