He is also survived by grandchildren Austin and Sean Gillis of Melrose, Sally and Megan Gillis of Jamaica Plain and Alexander Gillis of Melrose.
He was the former husband of the late Mary "Pat" (Morley) Gillis.
Born June 14, 1927 in Boston, he was a son to the late Donald A. and Helen (Kennedy) Gillis; he was raised in Roslindale and was a graduate of Boston Latin School, Class of 1945. He served his country proudly during World War II in the United States Navy before entering college. Dr. Gillis continued his education at Boston College and Tufts Medical School, earning a doctorate in medicine. His calling to Internal Medicine and Cardiology rewarded him with a 33-year career in his own practice and partnered him with Worcester City Hospital, for many of those years. Dr. Gillis was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church of Worcester; he enjoyed reading, the Boston Red Sox, politics and being near the ocean at his beach house.
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The funeral will be held from the Gately Funeral Home 79 W. Foster St., Melrose, on Wednesday, Jan. 5 at 8 a.m. His funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Mary's Church, Herbert St., Melrose, at 9 a.m. Family and friends respectfully invited. Visiting hours are Tuesday, Jan. 4 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Interment in St. Joseph's Cemetery, West Roxbury with Military Honors. Arrangements by The Gately Funeral Home of Melrose. Memorial contributions in Dr. Gillis' name may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.
