Paul George Gilles

Paul George Gilles February 19, 1922 to November 4, 2004. Died peacefully after a brief illness surrounded by family. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Paul was a Menlo Park resident since 1965. Paul was a World War II veteran B17 pilot with the 15th Air Force in Italy. He flew 35 combat missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and a Purple Heart. He graduated with a degree in chemistry from Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, Ohio in 1946. Paul was Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Syntex Laboratories (now Roche) in Palo Alto, CA.. He was also with J Walter Thompson Advertising in San Francisco. He was Lector of St. Denis parish in Menlo Park for almost 40 years.

Paul and Margaret Hogan were married October 18, 1947 in Lakewood, Ohio. He is survived by his beloved wife, Margaret. His children are Anne and Dennis Kennelly of Menlo Park; Paula and Tom Maurano of Menlo Park; Teresa and Patrick O'Rourke of San Ramon, CA; Mark and Mary Gilles of Menlo Park and Kathleen Gilles of Menlo Park, CA. His grandchildren are Margaret and Maureen Kennelly; Matthew, Stephen and Megan Maurano and Paul and Francesca Gilles.

His interests were varied. He was a voracious reader of science and history. He was a longtime baseball fan, taking pride in having met Babe Ruth as a child. He kept active playing golf, swimming and cycling. He will be greatly missed.

A Vigil will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, November 7 at St. Denis Church, 2250 Avy Avenue, Menlo Park. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 8, also at St. Denis. Arrangements under the direction of the Menlo Park Chapel of Spangler Mortuaries, 650 Live Oak Ave. Menlo Park.