Marblehead……

Dexter C. Gillis, age 81, loving husband and best friend of Mary P. (Kelley) Gillis of Marblehead, died at home Tuesday afternoon following a long illness. On October 12, he and his wife would have celebrated 53 years of marriage.

Born raised and educated in Marblehead, he was graduated from Marblehead High School in the Class of 1947. Mr. Gillis then joined the United States Army and was stationed in Germany for four years with the 97th Signal Battalion. Many years later, the 97th Battalion established a reunion committee and Mr. Gillis served on its board of directors.

Upon his return home, Mr. Gillis was first employed by Oliver's Gas Station in Marblehead's Clifton. He then began a career as an instrument technician with the Algonquin Gas Company where he was employed for 20 years. Mr. Gillis then was employed by the South Essex Sewage District also as an instrument technician retired from Eastman Gelatin in 1991.

Active and dedicated to the Marblehead community he was a board member and Chairman of the Marblehead Cemetery Commission and had also served on the Traffic and Safety Committee. A lifelong member of Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish where he had ushered for 41 years, Mr. Gillis was the past Grand Knight of the former Marblehead Knights of Columbus as well as a Fourth Degree Member of the Fr. Gabrielle Druilette Assembly. He had also been an active member of the former Marblehead Elks lodge and enjoyed his morning meetings at Rocco's.

Nothing was more important to Mr. Gillis than his family. A loving and devoted husband, he cherished his wife and believed that he had married his soul mate.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Gillis is survived by three children Chief Warrant Officer Michael Gillis, U.S.M.C, retired, of San Diego, CA, Sharon Carlson of Georgwtown, and Ann Marie Finch and her husband Scott of Marblehead; five grandchildren Tyler and Hannah Carlson, Corey, Kyle and Connor Finch; many nieces, nephews and cousins including Lori Romagnoli and her husband David of Boxford, Terry Leehan and her husband Kevin of Georgetown, Paul Hyde and his wife Patti of NH, Julie Anne Ryan and her husband Matthew of NJ, and Fred Robinson of Marblehead.

He was predeceased by his mother Dorothy Hamli, his step father Horrace Ohm and a grandson Brandon Finch.

His funeral will be held on Saturday at 10:15 A.M. from the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal ST (cor of North St) Salem to be followed by a funeral Mass at 11:00 A.M. in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Marblehead. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be on Friday from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Interment will be in Waterside Cemetery, Marblehead. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Tyler and Hannah Carlson Scholarship Fund Attn Jim Nye, c/o National Grand Bank, 90 Pleasant St., Marblehead, MA 01945. For online guest book or additional information please call 978 744 0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.