Obituary of Robert B Gillie

Robert Bowen Gillie, 94, died peacefully in Essex, CT on February 6, 2015. Bob is survived by Marjorie "Midge" Gillie, their son, Dr. Bruce Gillie and his wife Polly of Westerly, RI, their son, Brian Gillie and his wife Sue of Guilford, CT, and two grandchildren, Bowen and Anne. Bob was a proud New Yorker, born in Manhattan, September 25, 1920. He moved to Scarsdale in 1927 and graduated from the Scarsdale High School. He attended Union College in Schenectady, NY where he was a cheerleader, a drummer and a president of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Bob obtained his pilot's license while at Union and graduated with an economics degree in 1943 as part of an accelerated program for pilots. During WWII, Bob was a flight instructor and trained pilots in B-17 and B-29 bombers. After the war, Bob spent fifty years in the insurance business in New York City, eventually becoming vice president of the Harvey Dann Insurance Company. Bob enjoyed membership in the Scarsdale Town Club, the Scarsdale Fire Company #2, St. David's Society (Welsh) and the Hitchcock Presbyterian Church of Scarsdale. He was president of the University Club of White Plains and a member of the Board of Governors of the Scarsdale Golf Club. He was also an avid tennis and paddle tennis player in Scarsdale, winning numerous trophies for his club team. He was an accomplished photographer who built his own dark room to develop his artistic compositions. As a consummate handyman, Bob mastered diverse aspects of plumbing, electricity and woodworking, and spent many hours upgrading the property and renovating rooms throughout the house. Over the years he took great pride in maintaining his neatly manicured yard, spending much time weeding, planting and grooming for the perfect garden design. Bob was a huge fan of big band music with a particular fondness for the recordings of Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman. His vinyl record library included over three hundred 78s. He could name most of the musicians and singers, sing most all the lyrics, and dance with considerable agility, often cutting a rug at live New York City performances by these bands. Throughout his married life Bob traveled to many parts of the world with Midge. They often vacationed with their lifelong friends who formed a lively group called the "Loco Pocos," named after their numerous vacations to the Pocono Mountains. With his family Bob also purchased a cabin on Lake Damariscotta, Maine in 1986, a retreat where Bob and Midge spent each summer and where they enjoyed many hours helping to raise their grandchildren. Bob and Midge moved from Scarsdale to Essex Meadows in 1996. Bob was Chairman of the Resident Council for five years, directing a number of beneficial programs for the residents and staff including the Essex Meadows Scholarship Fund and implementation of what is now an annual Kentucky Derby Party. Fellow residents referred to him as the "heart and soul" of the special occasion. He was known around the retirement community as a gentle, quick-witted and loyal friend, always ready with a joke and a compassionate ear. He also loved his New York Yankees and New York Giants and continued to play paddle tennis at the Essex Paddle Tennis Club well into his 80s. The family will hold a private cemetery service in April. Friends of Bob are invited to a memorial service at Essex Meadows, 30 Bokum Road, Essex, CT on February 28th at 11:00 AM. Donations in his memory can be made to the Essex Meadows Scholarship Fund, care of Essex Meadows, Essex, CT 06426. To share a memory of Bob or send a condolence to his family, please visit www.rwwfh.com. Arrangements by Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, Centerbrook.