Duane Leonard Gillette

Lt. Duane L. "Sam" Gillette, USN Retired, 66, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, October 4, at his home in Smithfield, Virginia. He was the beloved husband of Margaret "Peggy" Versprille Gillette for 40 years.
Born in Barton, New York, he was the son of the late Ivan and Alberta Struble Gillette. He grew up in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and graduated in 1974 from Hempfield High School, Landisville. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served honorably until his retirement.
During the time of his service, Gillette was taken captive on November 4, 1979, and held for 444 days along with 51 other hostages following a raid by Iranian militants on the United States Embassy in Iran, where he was serving as Intelligence Specialist First Class with the Defense Attaché.
Following his release from captivity on January 20, 1981, he resumed his work in the Navy. He graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in Political Science in June 1985 and was commissioned as an Ensign. He reached the rank of Lieutenant before retiring January 31, 1996.
He was a recipient of the Prisoner of War Medal, Department of Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Award, National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon.
Following retirement, he worked as a defense systems analyst for various contractors including Eagle Systems Inc., TQI Solutions, Booz Allen Hamilton, Scientific Research Corporation, and most recently Core Services Group, where he was employed at the time of his death.
For many years, Gillette enjoyed bicycling and was a member of the Tidewater Bicycle Association Clams with whom he completed many rides to benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the American Diabetes Association. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed regular play with the Men's Golf Association on the links of the Cypress Creek Golf Course community where he lived with his wife, mother-in-law Margaret Versprille and youngest son Cory Gillette.
In addition to his wife, mother-in-law and youngest son, he is survived by sons, Sean, husband of Julena Gillette of Virginia Beach, and Kyle Gillette of Ogden, Utah; grandchildren, Annabeth and Conor Gillette of Virginia Beach, and Zelda, Isabella, Darma and Azlyn of Lancaster County; brother, Dale, husband of Linda Gillette of Lititz; sister Diane "Annie," wife of Rick Hershey of Mount Joy; sisters-in-law, Mary T., wife of David Garber of Pennsburg, Pennsylvania, and Martha Versprille, wife of Tim Ferring of Norfolk, Virginia, and brother-in-law, Col. Timothy Versprille of Chattanooga, Tennessee; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by daughter Melanie Gillette Hain.
A memorial service in his honor will be held at the Pavilion at Cypress Creek Golf Course on Friday, October 14. Visitation with the family will begin at 4 p.m., and the service will start promptly at 6 p.m. A reception for family and friends will follow. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family at Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, 5310 Millers Road, Suffolk.