Paul Richard Gilleran

PAUL "Dick" GILLERAN
1939 - 2026

Paul Richard "Dick" Gilleran; Age 86; of Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan passed away peacefully Friday, Friday, February 27, 2026 at American House in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan from natural causes.

Born March 23, 1939, in Detroit, Michigan to George and Kathleen Gilleran (nee: Brunett) he was the fifth of seven children. He grew up in a home his father built on Three Mile Drive in Detroit. He attended St. Matthew Catholic School in Detroit, Michigan before graduating from Austin High School in 1957, and John Carroll University in Ohio in 1961.

Funeral mass is scheduled Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 10:00 AM at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 6021 Whittier Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48224. Following his funeral mass, family and friends will continue to celebrate Dick's life at The ARK at St. Ambrose, 15020 Hampton Street, Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan 48230.

While attending college, Dick met Carole Paler, who was studying at Notre Dame College in Ohio. They were married June 1, 1963. Dick said she was "the best thing that ever happened to him". Together, they raised three sons. After serving in the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1964, Dick pursued a law degree at the University of Detroit Law School, graduating in 1967. He enjoyed a long and successful career as an estate and bankruptcy attorney with Dean & Fulkerson PC law firm in Troy, Michigan until his retirement in 2014.

Dick was a devout Catholic and a man of many passions, including gardening, cigars, Detroit sports, sailing and joke telling. He often approached patrons sitting near him at a restaurant or bar to tell jokes - both clean and perhaps not so clean - depending on the audience. As a former president of the Royal Oak Kiwanis chapter and an active member of St. Lucy Catholic Church in Saint Clair Shores, Michigan and Toastmasters, he exemplified generosity and humor throughout his life.

He will be remembered by his loved ones as a sweet and kind soul who was always thinking of others and what he could do to help them.

Dick is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Carole; sons, Jeff (Natasha), David (Deborah) and Jason (Robyn); and grandchildren, Spencer, Henrik, Elliott and Simone. He was predeceased by his parents, siblings, Regina, Helen, Jerry, Jim, Mary and Tom; and brother-in-law, Harry Myson. Dick was the last of these seven Gilleran children to pass. His family finds it fitting that the life of the party and designated joke-teller stayed until the party was over.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:

The IHM Sisters in Monroe

www.ihmsisters.org/supporting-the-mission/giving-opportunities/donate

or

the Mary Fran Gilleran scholarship at Christo Rey High School to honor Dick's sister, Mary, 5679 W. Vernor, Detroit, MI 48209.

Arrangements by SIMPLE FUNERALS (586-777-0555)

Please share a memory and/or sign his guest book at www.SimpleFunerals.net