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September 6, 1925 - May 20, 2016 Daniel P. Gillespie was 90, when he passed away peacefully on Friday, May 20, 2016 with his loving family by his side at his home, across the street from His Ocean in Huntington Beach, CA. Dan was born in Los Angeles, CA on Sep 6, 1925 to the late Raymond and Margaret (Gelhaus) Gillespie, as the youngest of five children. He graduated from Cathedral High School in 1942 and enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 17, lying about his age. He served in the European Theater as a #1 machine gunner. Dan was part of the 42nd Rainbow Div; he fought courageously and earned both Silver and Bronze Battle Stars for his bravery. They were the first troops to arrive and liberate Dachau Concentration Camp. Dan married Marjorie Gocke in 1947 and had five children. He graduated from Loyola Marymount in 1950 with a Bachelor's Degree in Business. Dan went on to become a Vice-President of Manufacturing for several Fortune 500 Companies. In 1977, Dan remarried Lee Watts Halbert and took on her three children. Dan and Lee traveled the world together, playing golf at all the greatest courses, living a life that most people only dream of. His sense of humor helped his family get through life's toughest times, and his Catholic Faith never waivered. He was a great fan of Notre Dame Football, good books, good food and good times spent with family. A highlight of Dan's life was meeting & befriending a Dachau survivor, Joshua Kaufman and his family. Dan will be missed by his wife Lee of 38 years; his sons, Dan, Tim and step, Jeffrey; daughters, Kathleen Moran, Patricia and Leanne; four grandchildren: Danielle, Meghan Moran, Bailey Afungia and Oona; three great grandchildren, two nephews, Patrick and John and several great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marjorie, his son, Michael and daughter, Lori; as well as brothers, Edward and Thomas and sisters, Mary and Mary Jo. A funeral Mass celebrating the life of Daniel P. Gillespie will be held at 10am on June 10th, 2016 at St. Simon and Jude Catholic Church, 20444 Magnolia St., Huntington Beach, with an Honor Guard at 12:30pm at Davey's Locker, 400 Main St., Newport Beach, followed by a 1pm departure Burial at Sea.
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