John Gillies

1939 - 2025

John Gillies
05/04/1939 - 08/12/2025
John Gillies, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away while gardening at his cherished summer home on Juniper Point in Boothbay Harbor, Maine doing one of the things he loved most.
Born on May 4, 1939, in East Orange, New Jersey, John graduated from Darien High School in Connecticut in 1956 and earned a degree in chemical engineering from Cornell University in 1962. A gifted athlete, he played hockey for Cornell and still holds the school record for most goals scored in a single game. He later obtained an MBA from Central Michigan University.
John began his professional career at Dow Chemical in Midland, Michigan, later relocating to Miami in 1970 and Houston in 1980. In the late 1980s, he founded and ran his own gas pipeline business, demonstrating the same drive, ingenuity, and entrepreneurial spirit that defined his life.
Juniper Point was John's sanctuary. He first visited in 1945 at the age of six and never missed a summer. The summer of 2025 marked his 80th year on the Point. He served as tennis director there in 1960 and 1961 and especially loved playing tennis on the association courts. Earlier in life, he enjoyed snow skiing, and in later years found joy in golf, embracing each season with enthusiasm and gratitude. He loved to dance whenever the opportunity arose.
John once traveled around the world, and when asked upon his return to name his favorite place, he always replied without hesitation: "Boothbay Harbor, Maine."
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Patti Gillies who he met playing tennis and made many wonderful memories playing golf, tennis and traveling after they both retired. He is also survived by Judy (Jordan) Engle the mother of his children, his three children and their spouses - Cathy and Brian Pratt, David and Lori Gillies, and Chris and Kim Gillies; nine grandchildren - Andrew, Jeremy, Ryan, Matthew, Emily, Evan, Brodie, Zoe, Christie; and four great-grandchildren - Joanie, Charlotte, Willow and Juniper.
He held a deep respect for education and a strong work ethic, passing those values on to his children and grandchildren. He took immense pride in watching his grandchildren grow into accomplished, thoughtful individuals.
John's legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the values he instilled, and the memories he created. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
A private service will be held in Houston at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Raise up Families at https://give.raiseupfamilies.org/checkout/27739 or to Cornell University Athletics-Ice Hockey at www.cornellbigred.com.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hall Funeral Home, Boothbay. To extend a condolence or share a story with the Gillies family, please visit John's Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com