Gerard "Jerry" Gillon

1942 - 2016

Gerard "Jerry" Gillon

AGE: 73 • Long Beach Island

Gerard "Jerry" Gillon, age 73, passed away on Friday April 8, 2016, in Naples, FL, with loved ones by his side. Jerry is survived by his children: daughter Maureen (Seth) Warren of Chesterton, IN, son David Gillon of Islamorada, FL, daughter-in-law Beth Jacenko-Gillon of Chapel Hill, NC, and son Brian Gillon of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. He is also survived by his brother Jack (Jeanne) Gillon of Huntingdon, NY, sister Eileen Gillon of Los Angeles, CA, and sister-in-law Gertrude Gillon of St. Petersburg, FL. Jerry also leaves behind his loving long-time companion Linda Latiff of Devon, PA, as well as his faithful dog Honey.

Jerry's grandchildren were the light of his life and he went out of his way to ensure their happiness. They are Bridget and Paige Gillon of Chapel Hill, NC and Hunter, Christian and Quinn Warren of Chesterton, IN. His grandchildren miss their Grandpa terribly but will have wonderful memories to sustain them. Jerry also had incredibly devoted friends and family including nieces, nephews and cousins whom he loved. Jerry is preceded in death by his parents and older brother Neil.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Jerry's family moved to West Islip in Long Island, NY when he was a teenager. He graduated from West Islip High School where he excelled at basketball. He went on to earn a degree from Saint Francis University in Loretto, PA and then began a career in management positions in the domestic freight transportation (Trucking) industry, working at US Lines, Red Star Express and Werner Continental while residing with his family in Ridgewood, NJ. In 1980, Jerry and his family relocated to Moorestown, NJ when he moved into the maritime industry and eventually became part owner of Lavino Shipping Agencies. Following the Exxon Valdez oil spill, Jerry used his shipping industry knowledge to preserve the environment by bringing oil spill response management to the maritime industry as co-owner of Marispond Inc. and then the Meredith Management Group in Paoli, PA for whom he worked at the time of his death.

For work Jerry traveled the world but in recent years focused more time at the beach at his home in Long Beach Island, NJ and golf at his winter home in Naples, FL.

Jerry was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Long Beach Township, NJ where his funeral will be held on Monday, April 18, 2016 at 11:00am. Calling hours will be held at Bugbee-Riggs Funeral Home in Ship Bottom, NJ from 2:00pm - 4:00pm on Sunday, April 17, 2016. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the sports programs at Saint Francis University in Loretto, PA where Jerry played basketball and made life-long friends.