NORWICH – Richard William Gillespie (Dick), 82 years of age, went home to be with the Lord and to join his wife Lola in heaven for all eternity on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013 after a short battle with cancer. Dick passed away in his home surrounded by family and close friends.
Dick graduated from Waterford High School, in 1947 and went into the U.S. Navy from 1948 until 1953 and was a Korean War veteran. Dick married Viola Gooley of Mechanicville on Feb. 4, 1951 in Waterford.
For many years Dick was an entrepreneur, owning many businesses including the Salem Inn Restaurant and Meadow View Motel, Columbus Christmas Tree Farm, Norwich Homes Builder and Contractor, and he also owned The Pizza Oven restaurant in Lake George. However he is most well known for being the National Director of the Gillespie Pageants, which he and his wife started in the 1970s. Dick was also a member of the Chenango County Community Players and was in many theatrical plays, including “The Sound of Music” and “MASH.” Thirty years ago Dick and his wife started the Annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner held at the Episcopal Church in Norwich. Dick was a humble man who always loved helping people and putting others first.
He is predeceased by his beautiful wife of 40 years Lola, his brother Randy Gillespie, and his grandson Jason Dyer. Dick is survived by his brothers and their wives Robert and Jean Gillespie, Ronald and Marilyn Gillespie, Rodger and Helene Gillespie and Edward and Aloma Osterhout. He is also survived by his daughters Sheila Gillespie Rose and her husband David and Debra Gillespie Strobel and her husband Randy; grandchildren Shawn Dyer and wife April, Shana Gillespie and fiancé Brian Truesdell, Michael Squires II and wife Jaime, Reuben Roach and wife Stacey, Jesse Roach and wife Melissa; Gavin Rose and Jonah Strobel; and 14 great grandchildren Alexis Jaycox, Billy Jaycox, Makenzie Jaycox, Madison Dyer, Kearstin Roach, Michael Squires III, Lauren Squires, Colin Roach, Jordan Dyer, Regan Roach, Quinten Roach, Lily Roach, Logan Truesdell and Trianna Truesdell. Because Dick affected so many people’s lives, his passing will leave a tremendous void.
A funeral service for Dick will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Broad Street United Methodist Church of Norwich. Pastor Dennis McKenna, of the Norwich Assembly Church, will officiate. Interment will be held at a later date in Mount Hope Cemetery. Friends may call the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.
Because Dick loved children, his request is for any contributions to be made to either St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, attn: Memorial/Honor Program FH, One Street, Jude Place Bldg., P.O. Box 1000 Dept 300 Memphis TN 38148-0552 or Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, 205 West 700 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101.