Michael Gillies

GILLIES

MICHAEL GILLIES

Michael Gillies, 73, of Reston, Virginia passed away on November 17, 2023 in the comfort and peace of his home, receiving smiles and love from family, close friends, and devoted aides up until his final moments.

Mike was born on September 4, 1950 to Rose Marie (Wisler) Gillies and Carl Lee Gillies in Plymouth, Indiana. He spent his childhood swimming in Koontz Lake and playing basketball and baseball with neighborhood friends, growing up quickly to work multiple jobs and fill the void as the stable father figure to his three younger siblings. He graduated from Oregon Davis High School and then Indiana State University, where he was a brother and Chapter President of Phi Gamma Delta.

He would tell everyone his greatest life accomplishment was convincing Patty Schwenk, also a graduate of Oregon Davis and Indiana State, to marry him on April 28, 1973. Shortly thereafter Mike joined the United States Navy and served 20 years as a P-3 Naval Flight Officer that included critical missions during the Cold War and Desert Storm, and retiring at the rank of Commander in 1996. During this time Mike and Patty had three sons, conducted countless moves, and built lasting friendships. They stayed in northern Virginia where Mike worked in Department of Defense consulting until pursuing his lifelong dream of entrepreneurship with the purchase of a security company in 2008 which he proudly administered until his final weeks.

Mike's favorite pastimes were bucket list travels including Ireland and an African safari, reading Mark Twain, coaching, sweet treats including his famous no-bake cookies, and watching airplanes takeoff and land at Dulles Airport with his son Rogan. His quick wit and humor walked a fine line of appropriateness yet was always somehow endearing. He will be remembered for enjoying the simple things in life, helping others, and making everyone in the room feel embraced and appreciated.

His passing came after an extended battle with compounding medical issues that stemmed from a genetic neuromuscular disease. He was preceded in death by his soulmate, Patty, by just five months. He is survived by his children Rogan, Grady, and Brett; daughter-in-law Allison, wife of Brett, two grandchildren Caroline and Cameron, and Ernesto Breton, partner of Grady. He is also survived by his three siblings Cindy King, Brenda Vermilyer, and Fred Huhnke.

Services will be held in Reston, Virginia on December 16. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to The Arc of Northern Virginia, a service organization supporting those with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families for which he was a strong advocate and supporter.