August 12, 2022
Donald Gillis was a caring husband, father, brother, cousin, and friend. He passed away on August 12, 2022, in Chilliwack BC at age 93 from complications following a stroke.
He was born in 1929 in Inverness NS, and moved to Vancouver BC in 1946, where Don received his teaching certification and then taught all over BC.
He met his wife Gemma while they were both teaching, married in 1970 and settled in Chilliwack, where Don began teaching in the Chilliwack School District while enjoying a full life of family, faith, and community involvement.
Don is survived by his wife of 52 years, Gemma; sons Michael Gillis (Steve Moore) of Long Beach CA, USA, and Craig Gillis of Solingen, Germany; brother-in-law Genno (Blanche) Pereira, sisters-in-law Anysia Pereira and Martina Pereira; nieces Joyce, Olivia, Margaret, Ethel, Eleanor, Marion, Donna, Heather, and Margot; nephews, Jimmy, David, Grant, Gary and Danny and cousins and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents Stephen and Margaret, and siblings Jack, Jim, Eleanor, Molly, and Gordon.
A Funeral Mass for Don was held August 18th, 2022, at St Mary's Catholic Church and was attended by many family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to BC Heart and Stroke Foundation https://www.heartandstroke.ca/how-you-can-help or your local Alcoholics Anonymous chapter.