John M. Gillis

John M. Gillis , 71, Wyomissing, formerly of Girardville, passed away on Thursday, November 11th at Reading Hospital Tower Health, surrounded by his wife and daughter.

Born in Ashland, he was a son of the late Albert and Irene (Hama) Gillis.

He attended North Schuylkill High School in Ashland. John was a longtime member of the former St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Girardville, as well as the Notre Dame Club of Schuylkill County. He was more recently a member of St. Ignatius Loyola Church, West Lawn.

John is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mary (Canavan) Gillis, Wyomissing; his daughter Dr. Tiffany Gillis Newswanger and her husband Jestyn Newswanger, Sinking Spring; the three lights of his life, his grandchildren Noah Newswanger (14), Peyton Newswanger (13), and Delaney Newswanger (10); his two brothers, David Gillis of Edgewater, Florida; Gary Gillis and wife Susan of Midlothian, Virginia; his sister Barbara Burns, Orwigsburg; his brother-in-law Pat Canavan and wife Marcie of Johns Creek, Georgia; beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.

John had many passions in life; especially the University of Notre Dame, college football Saturdays, playing golf with friends, weekly lottery tickets just like his father, supporting his daughter Tiffany through many phases of her life along with his wife Mary. His greatest love was watching his grandchildren grow up. He was the most amazing Papa and there was rarely a soccer/basketball/lacrosse/field hockey or cross country event where he was not there cheering them on. He will be remembered by so many as the Papa in his Notre Dame shirt always at school or sporting events smiling and so proud of his grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church, Girardville on Saturday, November 20th at 9:30AM with Rev. Stephan Isaac as the celebrant. Family and friends are invited to visitation at the church Saturday morning from 8:00AM-9:30AM. Interment will follow at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Fountain Springs. Following the services, there will be a celebration of John's life in the way he would want most - at PJ Whelihan's (1101 Rocky Drive, West Lawn, PA 19609) eating wings and watching Notre Dame football. Family and friends are welcome to join us, wearing Notre Dame gear or green if possible, any time between 12:00PM-4:00PM on Saturday for a private party in his honor.

Contributions can be made in John's name to St. Ignatius Loyola School (Attn: Advancement Director, 2700 St. Alban's Drive, West Lawn, PA 19609) or to Berks Catholic High School (Attn: Annual Fund, 955 E. Wyomissing Boulevard, Reading, PA 19611).

Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., Girardville is in charge of the arrangements.