John E. "Corky" Gill

John E. "Corky" Gill
Elmira, NY
Passed away on Monday, March 31, 2025 at the age of 92. Corky was born March 18, 1933 in Elmira, NY, son of the late John A. and Blanche (Walker) Gill. He was also pre-deceased by siblings, Tom Gill, Ruth Thomas, and Ellamae Gill Case and William Gill.
Corky loved aviation, his family and his Harris Hill family, Harris Hill Juniors, lovely ladies - preferably in dresses - and dogs. His long life was filled with all. He had a way of attracting good things, with his positive outlook and friendly disposition, his humor and good looks, and with dog treats. Conversations with Corky were always friendly and easygoing. Corky was born on Reservoir Street in Elmira, NY where, with the exception of his years in the USAF, he lived his entire life – many with his brother Tom. Corky passed away at home on March 31, 2025 just days after celebrating his 92th birthday among friends and family at the Flight Center.
He fell in love with aviation at an early age. At 13, he climbed over the Harris Hill park fence to avoid the 25cts entry fee and spend the day running ropes and helping out. Every once in a while, there was a glider ride as reward. He was still in high school when he got his first after school job with Schweizer Aircraft Company in 1951 working the evening shift.
John Gill graduated from high school in June 1952 and joined the U.S. Air Force – after soaring season - on January 16, 1953 when he was 19 years old. He retired 21 yrs later at the rank of Senior Master Sergeant M/SGT on January 31, 1974.
His first U.S. Air Force assignment was Armed Forces Courier, based out of Dover A.F.B, Delaware and for two years he delivered top secret materials and documents to 19 countries and 14 islands. When his tour was over, he was reassigned to Lubbock, TX but an Air Force buddy was just retiring from the Thunderbirds and after a few phone calls Corky's assignment was changed to 12th Air Force HQ. Inspection General Team at Bergstrom A.F.B. This was followed by the assignment he was most proud of; three and half years as crew chief of the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, based at Nellis A.F.B, Nevada. He traveled all around the world putting on Thunderbird air shows. When his Thunderbirds tour came to an end in 1965, he asked to be reassigned to Bitburg AFB, Germany and became flight chief over six F-105 aircraft. Before shipping out, he spent two weeks back in Elmira and got his Private Glider at the Schweizer Soaring School. In Germany he joined the Base Aero Club and a local glider club and obtained his German glider rating.
In December 1966 he went to Cannon AFB, Clovis, NM, an assignment he didn't care for much. So in 1967 he volunteered to go to Vietnam but got a 6 month TDY to Korat, Thailand instead where he was in charge of maintenance of one aircraft – the top secret EC121K that flew missions close to Vietnam to keep track of all SAM missile sites. Five days after retiring from the U.S. Air Force, on February 5, 1974, Corky started work with the Schweizer Aircraft Co.mpany. He worked on the AG Cat, then the 2-33 glider fuselage assembly. He ended his SAC career as Quality Control inspector in May 1995. Corky started flying on Harris Hill at the age of 13 and owned six gliders; a Ka-6E, Phoebus, Libelle, ASW20, ASW27, and Discus 2cT (with Moe Acee). He logged over 8300 glider flights and at least 6500 hours. He was a member of HHSC for over 70 years and in 2023 the club named the Harris Hill club house John 'Corky' Gill Flight Center in his honor.
He wrote various aviation related articles and was the author of Goofy's News.
John was a friend of the National Soaring Museum, where he visited almost daily, and was actively involved in the early days building exhibits and moving gliders.
He was a lucky man, and he knew it.
John is survived by his nephew; Thomas J. Gill and Christine Lawas of Horseheads with their children, Matthew Gill, Erin Gill, Zachary Lawas and Lucas Lawas; nephew, William P. & Shannon Gill of Ellicott City MD with their son Carter; niece, Diane Wood and her son's Eric and Joshua of Horseheads, NY; nephew, Richard and Christine Thomas, sons Matthew and Adam, and nephew Levi Case.
Relatives and friends are welcomed to Sullivan's Funeral Home, 365 E. Franklin St., at Rt. 13, Horseheads, NY on Monday, April 7, 2025 from 3-5PM, during which time friends and family may offer their condolences and memories at 4:45PM with Military Honors following at 5PM. Those wishing to remember Corky please consider Memorial Contributions to HHSC with the comment endowment fund, PO Box 544, Horseheads, NY 14845 in his honor.