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James L. Gillis
May 11, 1948 - October 4, 2024
Beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, James L. Gillis, 76, of Franklin, MA, (pictured above) passed away on October 4th 2024, after many years battling Parkinson’s disease.
Jim was born in Boston, MA in May of 1948 to Lawrence A. Gillis and Ruth C. Gillis. He was raised in Canton, MA with his brother, John Gillis, and sister, Susan (Gillis) Falasca, where he made friends that would last a lifetime and met the love of his life. At the age of 17, Jim’s friend, David Webster introduced him to his sister, Jeanne, and it truly was love at first sight. They were married 54 years.
Jim enlisted in the Navy in 1967 and served as Radarman 3rd class on the USS Belknap during the Vietnam War. He served for 4 years alongside his friends, David Kelson and Herb Gates, as well as his brother John and his brother-in-law, David Webster.
Jeanne waited for Jim to return from service and they married in June of 1970. They started their family in Brockton, MA, raising 2 adoring daughters, Christine and Laura. They moved their young family to Franklin, MA in 1985, where Jim and Jeanne have resided ever since.
At work Jim moved through several professions, each of which called for his meticulous, keen eye for detail. He was a draftsman, documentation manager, and later a real estate title examiner. But more important than building an impressive resume, the thing he remembered most fondly was the close friends that he gathered along the way, especially his very good friend since 1975, Bob Blanchette.
He loved hiking and camping the White Mountains with his hiking buddy Dan Jones, playing racquetball, and family vacations at the beaches and lakes in New England. All while making time to attend his daughters’ school activities and concerts, and watching them become a Pediatrician and a Registered Nurse. Throughout their married life Jim and Jeanne traveled to many of their favorite destinations, most memorably Hawaii and Portugal, as well as trips around the country to visit friends.
Jim’s 3 grandchildren were a great source of pride. He would often be heard telling stories of their many talents and achievements, marveling at Colin’s expert restoration of vintage cars, admiring Lydia’s amazing artwork and theater performances, and cheering for goals at Anthony’s hockey games. Even when Parkinson’s began to limit his mobility, he was always able to enjoy his favorite activities, sharing meals, stories, and laughs with friends and family, and spending quiet, cozy nights at home with Jeanne, in front of a perfectly roaring fire.
He is survived by his wife, Jeanne (Webster) Gillis, daughter Christine (Gillis) and her husband Jim and their children, Colin (22) and Lydia (18), and daughter Laura (Gillis) Cardello and her husband Greg and their son, Anthony (14), brother, John Gillis and his wife Deborah and sister, Susan (Gillis) Falasca and her husband Harry. We could not have asked for a better husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend and we will miss him every day. We know that his memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him.
A wake will be held on October 16th from 4-8 pm at Casper Funeral Home, 187 Dorchester St., South Boston. Burial will take place on Friday October 18th at 12:30 pm at The National Veterans Cemetery, Connery Ave., Bourne, MA.
In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made to any of Jim and Jeanne’s favorite charities:
-Michael J. Fox Foundation: Donate Here
-WGBH: Donate Here
-Women’s Lunch Place: Donate Here
-Pine Street Inn: Donate Here
-Franklin Food Pantry: Donate Here
Normand "Norm" R. Gonthier
Normand (Norm) Robert Gonthier, 92, a 50-year resident of Franklin, died peacefully and surrounded by his family on October 10, 2024 at MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham. Norm was the beloved husband of Shirley (Pinette) Gonthier, with whom he shared 64 years of marriage, and devoted father of Mark, Dolores, Jim, and Eileen, and father-in-law of Jeanne. The proud Pepere will be missed by Stephanie Gonthier and partner Darby Hamilton, Alyse Gonthier and partner Gary Ge, and Eirnin Mahoney. Norm was also cherished “Dad G” to Andres Branger and the late Caitlin Warde. He is predeceased by his brothers Raymond and Roland and sister Sister Dolores; sisters-in-law Freda and Ann; and brothers-in-law Herve, Al, David, and Bob. Norm is survived by his extended family members, including his sisters-in-law Peg, Phebe, Claire, Gloria, and Priscilla, his brother-in-law Dick, and many adoring nieces and nephews.
Born on February 27, 1932, in Amesbury, Norm was the son of the late Roland and Yvonne (Roy) Gonthier. He graduated from Amesbury High School in 1950, and soon after was drafted into the United States Army and served in the Korean War, rising to the rank of Sergeant First Class. Norm often recounted stories from his time in the military with amusement, including his "war injury" of a bruised toe from dropping a typewriter on it. Following his service, Norm earned his bachelor's degree from Northeastern University in 1960 and built a 30-year career at Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company in Canton, retiring as Second Vice President and Internal Auditor.
Norm was passionate about giving back to his community. He volunteered with The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, assisted at Tri-Valley Elder Services as a Financial Manager, and was President of the Parents’ Council at his children’s high school, Mount St. Charles Academy in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. As an active member of St. Mary’s Parish in Franklin he served with Shirley in various roles, most notably Lector at weekly Mass, Stage Manager of St. Mary’s musical productions, and Soda Booth Manager at the Feast of St. Rocco for 24 years, “retiring” due only to his health. He enthusiastically ran the Soda Booth as if it were his own business, inspiring his cadre of volunteers to return every August “just because Norm asked them to.”
He loved music of diverse genres, especially Big Band and Broadway musicals, and was an amateur but avid dancer and singer. Norm gleefully jitterbugged with Shirley – and later, his daughters – at every wedding he attended. He delighted family and friends when singing his favorite selections from Fiddler on the Roof or West Side Story and, as a founding member of the Franklin Singing Seniors, performed at local nursing homes and assisted living facilities, entertaining residents with lively renditions from the Great American Songbook.
Norm found joy in the simple pleasures of life, from admiring birds at his backyard feeder and watching Patriots games, to tending his vegetable garden and finding "treasures" at the Franklin Dump. His greatest happiness, though, was making people laugh. Known for his quick wit and deadpan delivery, Norm loved telling stories and lightening the mood. His dry and self-effacing humor made him an unlikely yet popular speaker at Boston Mutual’s annual sales meetings. And no one was beyond the subject of Norm’s comedic insights, with one of his favorite analyses focused on “how God made the face wrong” – complete with suggestions for improvement!
Norm's warmth, wisdom, and kindness endeared him to all who knew him, and his legacy of love and laughter will be cherished by his family, friends, and community.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Friday, October 18th from 4–7 pm in the Ginley Funeral Home, ginleyfuneralhomes.com 131 Main St., Franklin.
His Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, October 19th at 11 am at St. Mary’s Church, One Church Square, Franklin.
Interment will follow at the parish cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Mary’s Parish or Mass Audubon.
