Joseph G. Gill

(News story) Joseph G. Gill, who served in the military and then started a paving business beside his twin, John, died Wednesday in his Sylvania Township home. He was 91.

He had colon cancer, his daughter Patti said.

He closed his career in 2010 with his son Colin's former firm, Snowden Construction.

Mr. Gill and his brother were Joe-and-John, often spoken of in one breath, mirror images - Joe, left-handed; John right-handed - and confusion among teachers and friends were family lore.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed their request allowing them to train together in the Army Air Corps during World War II. They graduated as second lieutenants and served stateside. After the war, they were in the Air Force Reserve and later the Ohio Air National Guard. In what is now the 180th Fighter Wing at Toledo Express Airport, they often flew side by side during training and missions. It took years for a colonel whom John knew to realize there were two Gills on the base.

"I've been chewed out a lot for him," Joe told The Blade in 1965, "and he's been chewed out for me."

The brothers retired as lieutenant colonels in 1973.

In civilian life, they started Gill Asphalt & Cement Co. Joe watched over bidding and billing and business matters. John oversaw work in the field. They later formed American Asphalt and Centennial Excavating.

Through the years, the firm won bids to pave area roads, new subdivisions, and shopping malls, but also did work at the University of Toledo.

"They were always trying to expand. They were very good at it," said Joe's son Colin, who worked for the family business, as did his brothers Kevin and Chris and John's sons, Dennis and Kelly.

The Gill twins married women who were best friends, and their families lived side by side in Sylvania Township. They did not hesitate to correct each other on matters professional or family, and even quarreled on occasion.

"But if you got in the middle of it, you were going to get pummeled by both of them," Colin Gill said.

"I never ran across anybody who didn't enjoy Joe and John," Colin Gill said. "These guys weren't afraid to try anything. They knew their responsibilities good enough and took charge of them."

And then, speaking of his father, Joe: "You don't become a colonel in the service and own businesses and have eight kids without having that inner strength."

The twins were born Aug. 15, 1924, to Irene and Harley Gill and were 1942 graduates of DeVilbiss High School. Joe Gill attended the University of Toledo. They owned a 38-foot power boat and through the 1970s flew three planes they owned. John Gill died Jan. 14, 1993.

Joe Gill was a member of the Knights of Columbus' Fourth Degree and the Elks.

He and Elizabeth "Betty" Aberl married Sept. 6, 1947; she died Oct. 28, 1980. A son Joseph, Jr., died Jan. 12, 2015.

Surviving are his sons, Colin, Kevin, and Christopher; daughters, Pamela Zbierajewski, Patricia Cousino, Victoria Doty, and Laurie Adams; 29 grandchildren, and 40 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Friday in the Walker Funeral Home, Sylvania Township, with a Scripture service at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Little Flower Church, where he was a member. The family suggests tributes to the American Cancer Society.

This is a news story written by Blade staff writer Mark Zaborney. Contact him at mzaborney@theblade.com or 419-724-6182.