[RAC-Bulletin] Former RAC President William James =E2=80=9CBill=E2=80=9D Gillis, VE1WG SK
 

​Radio Amateurs of Canada has received the sad news that former *RA
C
President, Bill Gillis, VE1WG*, became a Silent Key on Monday, December 26,
2016 at age 87.

The following information was extracted from the online obituary
http://obituaries.telegraphjournal.c...187/william-gi
llis/obituary.php
notice. RAC extends its sincere condolences to Bill's family and friends.

​William James “Bill� Gillis, 87, of Moncton, with
his loving family at his
side, passed away peacefully at The Moncton Hospital on Monday, December
26, 2016. Born in Campbellton, New Brunswick, he was the eldest son of the
late William James and Mary (Haley) Gillis.

His lifetime career was in the technical and management fields of the
telecommunications industry with postings to various Maritime centres as
well as St. John’s, Montreal, Toronto, and internationally for 15 y
ears in
Tanzania, East Africa. Throughout his life he was active in the Amateur
Radio Service, holding station licence VE1WG since 1946, VE3WG in Ontario
and 5H3WG in Tanzania.

Bill served as RAC President (2002-2003) and as Director for the Maritimes
Region. He served two terms as President of the Moncton Area Amateur Radio
Club where he also conducted licence qualifying instruction and edited the
club’s monthly newsletter. He was a member of the Montreal Amateur
Radio
Club and the Oakville Radio Club. He had been an active member of the
Beausejour Curling Club and the Beaver Curling Club.

His many accomplishments included playing piano, woodworking, genealogical
research and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Bill was well read and enjoyed
writing about many historical events that he researched very thoroughly. He
most enjoyed welcoming friends and family to his home of 54 years in
Harrisville (especially the Thursday lunch crowd), and helping his many
grandchildren with their projects in his shop whenever he could. He also
took great pride in his participation to influence the naming of
Harrisville Boulevard.

Bill will be sadly missed by his devoted wife of 65 years, Patricia â€
œPatâ€�
(Picot); his cherished children, Diane Prosser (Eric), Donald Gillis
(Kathy), Daniel Gillis (Timmie), Kathie Blomsma (Paul), Patti Trites
(Steve) and Michael Gillis (Janet), all of Moncton and Peter Gillis (Trina)
of Leduc, AB; his adored grandchildren, Derek Prosser, Jeff Prosser
(Mariel), Audrey Cochrane (Matt), Laura Frost (Brady), William Gillis,
Jessica Gillis (Luc Doiron), Jim Gillis (Manon Boudreau), Kristi Hughes
(Tyler), Andrew Trites (Sarah), Ben Trites, Jordan Gillis (Samantha
Scribner), Tommy Gillis, Katie Gillis, Shanna Gillis; his precious
great-grandchildren, Marissa Prosser, Molly Cochrane, Ruby Cochrane, James
Frost, Mary Frost, five day old Liam Gillis and soon arriving Amelia
Hughes; his brothers, Robert Gillis (late Janice 1999) and Ralph Gillis
(Alice Marie); God-daughter, Patsy Burton; sisters-in-law, Claudette Picot
(Don) and Jeannine Cochrane (late Bill 2015); brother-in-law, Jules Picot
(Carol); several loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Mary
Elizabeth Gillis (2016) and his beloved great-granddaughter, Hailey Amelia
Hughes (2015).

Visitation at Fergusons Funeral Home, 1657 Mountain Road, Moncton
(858-1995) on Thursday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm. A Service to
celebrate and honor Bill’s life will be held at Fergusons Funeral H
ome
Chapel on Friday, December 30, 2016 at 2:00 pm, with Rev. Charles Broderick
presiding. Reception in the Funeral Home Reception Centre following the
service. Interment will be following the service at Lakeside Cemetery,
Lakeville, Westmorland Co.

In memory of Bill, donations to a memorial of the donor’s choice wo
uld be
appreciated by the family. Online condolences at
www.fergusonsfuneralhome.com.

----------------



*Alan GriffinRAC MarCom Director*


*wp.rac.ca* http://www.rac.ca/
720 Belfast Road, #217
Ottawa, ON K1G 0Z5
613-244-4367, 1- 877-273-8304