Robert Gillis

Robert Gillis obituary, Worcester, MA

Robert Gillis

Robert Gillis Obituary

Published by Worcester Telegram & Gazette from Aug. 23 to Aug. 24, 2017.
Robert "Whitey" Gillis

WORCESTER - Robert "Whitey" Gillis, 64, of Worcester, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 from complications of cancer.

Whitey leaves his mother, Rita C. (Maloney) Gillis, two brothers, Jack Gillis and his wife Sandra of Sarasota, Fla., and Thomas Gillis and his wife Melanie of Sterling, a sister Mary and her husband Al Capone of Lincoln; five nieces, Jennifer Capone of Littleton, Elizabeth and her husband Brian Crowley of Arlington, Pamela and her husband Kit Gray of Marina del Rey, Calif., and Ashley and Alexandra Capone, both of South Boston; three great-nieces and three great-nephews. His father, Walter F. Gillis Jr., died in 2009.

Whitey lived in Worcester all his life. He was a graduate of St. John's High School in Shrewsbury and Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla. He was an outstanding outfielder and hitter, and was a captain of the varsity baseball team at both schools. He was a Telegram & Gazette All-Star at St. John's, and was named to the Eckerd College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Whitey was also an All-Star in the Cape Cod Baseball League, playing for the Falmouth Commodores.

For many years, Whitey owned and operated the 401 Club, a restaurant in Marlborough.

There will be a funeral Mass Saturday, August 26, at 10:30 a.m. in Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 25 Fales St., Worcester. Burial will be private. There are no calling hours.

The Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester, is directing arrangements.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign Robert Gillis's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

August 19, 2024

Joe Marzilli posted to the memorial.

August 23, 2022

Joseph Marzilli posted to the memorial.

December 28, 2017

Bob Gher posted to the memorial.

Joe Marzilli

August 19, 2024

Hi Whitey:

Hard to believe 7 years have gone by. Finally got Billy Mc to sit down and discuss old times after a round of golf in Florida. You and I spoke many times about getting Billy and Stan together on the Cape but never happened. I know you and Stan were with us in spirit that day in Florida, just wish we had done it a lot sooner. Joe

Joseph Marzilli

August 23, 2022

Hi Whitey:

I think of you often as I watch baseball on cape cod each summer and participate in SJ alumni events. Rest in peace my friend. Joe

Bob Gher

December 28, 2017

Condolences to the Gillis family. I miss your calls and stories. Sorry you never made to the corn fields. Rest in peace my friend.

Brian & Robin Murkland

September 5, 2017

To the Gillis Family,
We will always remember Whitey with a great laugh and smile on his face. We are very sorry for your loss.

August 31, 2017

Dear Gillis Family, We were deeply saddened to hear of Whitey's passing. He had the best stories and will be missed by all of us. Jack, Tom, and Mary, you are in our thoughts and prayers, we hope your fond memories of Whitey help you through this difficult time.
Sincerely, Steve & Patty Laramee

Elsie & Steve Mutti

August 29, 2017

Whitey was just an all around good person. Always ready to make you smile when you were down. The best story teller ever! Hope you and Doug RIP and don't argue! You will be missed.

Ronald Plamondon

August 28, 2017

It was always a pleasure talking to Whitey during the annual phonathon for St John's. He also will be dearly missed by all of us from the Class of 1971. You have my deepest sympathy and condolences.

Mario, Lidia, Ivan and Whitey. Christmas party

Mario Mckenzie

August 26, 2017

Joseph Marzilli

August 25, 2017

The Gillis Family

My sincere condolences to all of you on Whitey's passing.

Whitey was a Great Friend, Teammate and Classmate. I know from speaking with him that the past year has been tough, but cancer in any form is never easy. He handled it like the tough guy that he was.

Baseball was our original common bond, but like his many true friendships, it grew to be much more than that.

I will sincerely miss him, especially the old war stories that he was so good at telling. Always enjoyable and full of laughter.

Rest In Peace my friend.

Rick Nowlin

August 24, 2017

Great guy and great friend. Whitey always found the humor in life. You will be missed.

Barry Henley

August 24, 2017

Sincerest Condolences, It was a pleaasure to work for and with you at the 400 & One, Your friendship and guidance will never be forgotten. All the war stories that have your name in them, will always be told with smiles and laughter. Rest in peace my friend.

Timothy O'Hearn

August 24, 2017

Sorry to hear of Whiteys passing. Our thoughts and prayers to Jack,Tom,Mary,and Mrs Gillis. God bless.

Paul Waters

August 24, 2017

To the Gillis family:
My most sincere condolences.
I knew Whitey primarily through Jackie, my friend and classmate at Saint John's. 67'
Whitey was such a good kid and obviously grew into an even better man. No surprise.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

charlie kerbel

August 24, 2017

Whitty
great teammate and friend
don't let ACE make you steal any more bases
see you in the batters box

Julie Renaud ,Tierney

August 24, 2017

So sorry to the Gillis family. Whitey was a good man and everybody loved him. I'm so glad he reached out to me a couple of months ago and we have been in contact and got to talk about a lot of things. He was honest and caring and really quite funny. You will be so missed ! Such a good good man, Rest in peace Whitey. XO

Mario and Elena McKenzie

August 24, 2017

To the best human being we have known in our lives. Thank you for always being thoughtful to all of us. Mario will never forget the good times at the 401. May The Lord hold you in his arms and may you Rest In Peace. Our deepest sympathy to your family and friends. You were a man with heart of gold boss. Mario, Elena, Marlena and Alex McKenzie.

Denise Greene

August 24, 2017

So sorry for your loss Mary. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Bob and Denise

August 24, 2017

Our deepest sympathy to you and your entire family. Bill and Susan Leary...
Rest in Peace Whitey.

Mike Murphy

August 24, 2017

To our friend Whitey,

May you rest in peace pal. Thanks for all the great memories and times we had together in life. You we will be sorely missed by all.

Mike and Kathy Murphy

Tom Connor

August 24, 2017

Whitey me boy you've gone to the next chapter.
I can see you in the Red "Worcester Federal Savings" uniform playing second base. Tommy and Jack blasting them over the fence terrorizing the young pitchers in Tris Speaker league. We were so much better than these LLers today with all their texts and stupid addictive gadgets. We knew the game its history and how to play it. You certainly did. You were superb as was your dad Walter. And then as you immortalized the line "I came all the way from Marlboro" in'89 at Ralph's Diner and the going away party to CalIfornIa and Jeffrey King. Game 7 in 1986 where Don Baylor sat on the bench the whole series. That's why they lost. Forget the Buckner play. I brought the Bible with me to your bar which was a tale told for years. Did no good. You had a great place there and you did it all yourself. We certainly will miss you, no one moreso that Chuck Norris. You had a great ride as evidenced by all the friends you made who enjoyed your company. Rest in Peace and condolences to Jack and Tommy
Tom Connor Cap d'Ail FRANCE

Edward Andrzejczyk

August 24, 2017

Whitey was probably one of the greatest baseball players to put on the uniform for Saint Johns. A great guy. He will be missed.

Thomas Kapurch

August 24, 2017

Rest in Peace, classmate. I remember you quite well as a quiet, great ball player and great guy. Best to your family.

August 24, 2017

In sympathy with the Gillis family at the loss of Whitey. Prayers and thoughts are with you at this time.
Rhonda Cormier (Eckerd '78)

David Creen

August 24, 2017

My condolences to the Gillis family. Mr. Gillis, Jack and Tom and Whitey have been great mentors, team mates and friends. A true loss to the St. John's, Eckard College and Burncoat communities. God bless.

Beth and Peter Grady

August 24, 2017

May you Rest In Peace Whitey. Thank you for all the good times at the 401

Karen Schollard Hagenburger

August 24, 2017

Dear Mary Helen, Jack , Tom and family,

Words cannot express how sad we all are at the loss of Whitey. So many wonderful memories growing up with the incredible Gillis family. Whitey will remain in our hearts always.
Love
Karen and family

August 24, 2017

Whitey will sorely be missed.Rarely was he ever seen without a smile on his face. A great one.
Sincerely,

Bob Bradley

Tom Landry

August 24, 2017

Whitey was a great guy to get to know. He was a tremendous host at the 401 Club and very naturally became a good friend of countless patrons. Thanks for your hospitality and friendship, Whitey. Your magnetic personality and gentle disposition will be greatly missed.

Paul K Sullivan

August 24, 2017

Tom,Jack and the Gillis Family,
I am very sorrow to learn of Whitey's passing. I ran into him within the past year and we talked for quite a while about a lot of things. He was prepared for whatever was in store for him, like the realist he was. I will miss him.
Respectfully,
Paul Sullivan

Billy McGreevy

August 23, 2017

On behalf of many, many Eckerd College Baseball Team members older and younger - It was an honor to be on "any" Team with Whitey Gillis ! His dedication, passion, loyalty and willingness to help others was a great example to us all- he was what a true Teamate was all about. He lived the same way outside of sports and this is why he has countless friends everywhere. We 'll think of all the great years that we have all been lucky enough to know and enjoy Whitey Gillis !

Denisse Scavone

August 23, 2017

Whitey you'll be missed, Rest In Peace.

Denisse Scavone

August 23, 2017

Gillis family, sorry for your loss. Whitey was a legend and great guy. Please accept our condolences and again sorry for your loss.

Denisse and Dominic

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Not sure what to say?

August 19, 2024

Joe Marzilli posted to the memorial.

August 23, 2022

Joseph Marzilli posted to the memorial.

December 28, 2017

Bob Gher posted to the memorial.