Edward Gill

Edward John Gill

POUGHKEEPSIE - Edward John Gill, PE, 90, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2015, at Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital with his loving family at his side.

Mr. Gill was born in the Bronx, NY on August 17, 1924, the son of Florence Telford Gill and John Gill.

On October 7, 1950, Mr. Gill married the former Evelyn Roth at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in the Bronx. His loving wife survives at home. The couple had three children, two of whom survive him. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Janet Gill-Gentry and David Gentry of Stamford, CT, his son Stephen Gill of Poughkeepsie and his son-in-law James VanTassell and Dr. Melody Festa of Marlboro, NY. He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Dr. Barry VanTassell, Evan VanTassell, Oleg Gentry and Alona Gentry. Mr. Gill is survived by his sister, Mary Frank, of Brookfield, CT, his sister-in-law Dorothy Isakson Petsch of Indianapolis and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He is predeceased by his parents and his in-laws, Philip and Estelle Roth. His eldest daughter Doris VanTassell died in 1995.

As a high school student, Mr. Gill studied with the Marist Brothers for two years, which is now the site of Marist College, and he graduated from St. Anne's Academy in Manhattan in 1942. Although he started his engineering studies that fall at City College of New York, like many of his generation, he enlisted at the end of 1942 in the US Navy. He enlisted for 6 years. He served in the South Pacific for the duration of World War II on two destroyers, the USS Hambleton and the USS Cowie, most notably participating in the Battle of Okinawa. He was a radio technician. His squadron was the first to enter Tokyo Bay at the end of the war, mine-sweeping as they entered, and his destroyer was next to and in full view of the surrender of Japan on the USS Missouri. His stories of World War II were inspiring, including narrow misses from kamikaze attacks.

From 1945 to 1948, Mr. Gill taught at the US Naval Base on Treasure Island in San Francisco. He joined the Naval Reserve when he finished his enlistment and, for the next two years, worked as an electronics technician for companies in NYC. Weeks before his wedding in 1950, Mr. Gill was recalled to active duty as a Chief Petty Officer and returned for the Korean Conflict. He served in active duty for the next two years on the USS Hawkins, including a world tour. He was honorably discharged in 1952 after a total of 8 years of service in the US Navy. After the Korean Conflict, Mr. Gill joined IBM in 1952 as a customer engineer in Manhattan. While working and starting a family, he returned to City College of New York, studying electrical engineering at night for the next 10 years. He received his BS in Engineering on June 12, 1963 and the commencement speaker was the Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which was a most memorable speech. In 1965, Mr. Gill and his family relocated with IBM to Poughkeepsie and in 1971, Mr. Gill obtained his Professional Engineer license. Mr. Gill worked for IBM in both the Poughkeepsie and East Fishkill locations. He retired in 1990 after 38 years.

Before and after his retirement from IBM, he taught electronics in the BOCES Adult Education Program, and electricity and electronics to engineers studying for the Professional Engineer exam. A long-time member of the Society of Professional Engineers, he ran the Dutchess County MathCounts Competition for 20 years, accompanying the winning schools to the annual state competition in Troy, NY. Mr. Gill was a member of the American Legion.

Mr. Gill was a communicant of St. Martin de Porres Church, serving as a lector for almost 50 years. He also was a team captain of the parish bingo program for many years. For both Our Lady of the Assumption in the Bronx and St. Martin de Porres, Mr. Gill was an active volunteer for the annual Blauvelt Festival given by the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt, NY. For several years, he ran the booth for St. Martin de Porres.

Mr. Gill was a true family man, who cherished his time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be Tuesday, July 7 from 4-8 pm at Parmele, Auchmoody & Schoonmaker Funeral Home, 110 Fulton Ave., Poughkeepsie. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Wednesday, July 8 at 10 am from St. Martin de Porres Church, 118 Cedar Valley Rd., Poughkeepsie. Interment will follow in Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in Edward's memory to Catholic Charities, 218 Church St., Poughkeepsie,NY 12601.

Please visit www.Hudson ValleyFuneralHomes.com for directions and condolences.