Raymond James Gillen Jr.

After a life well lived, Jim Gillen, 87, died on 11/4/24 at home on Cape Cod. He was the husband of Sheila Gillen (Quill). They were married for over 50 years. He was the son of Raymond and Hazel Gillen. He was born in Gary, Indiana, a New Year’s baby, with his picture in local paper. He was predeceased by his sister Margene Findlay, his sister-in-law Denise St. Pierre (Quill) and brother-law, Vincent Quill Jr. He was the Uncle of Gigi (Laura Findlay), Bill Findlay, Greg St. Pierre and his wife Jennifer, Suzi Dia (St. Pierre) and her husband, Rob, Doug St. Pierre and his wife Tina, Vincent Quill III and his wife Julie, and Liz Cerullo (Quill) and her husband Steven. He also had 13 great nieces and nephews, Jecyl, Rafael, Grandon, Victoria, twins Vincent and Jennah, Bobby, Lucas, Emily, Charlotte, Andrew, Jonathan and Katie. He enjoyed entertaining family and friends and always had a story to tell.

He grew up in Western Springs, Illinois and graduated from Lyons Township High School class of 1955. He attended Purdue studying engineering and graduated from Bradley University with a business degree. After college, he worked as a salesman for Texaco. Four years later, he moved to Long Beach, California and worked in the aerospace division at McDonnel Douglas, later Boeing with top secret security clearance. He led a rocket program at White Sands, New Mexico working with astronaut Pete Conrad.

He lived in a tiny cottage on the beach in Long Beach, CA for ten years where he was known to play volleyball. He ran 15 marathons, skied and still had time for golf. He bought one of the first Datsun 240Z’s and drove it for forty years. Jim and Sheila lived in La Quinta, CA for many years on the Arnold Palmer Golf Course at PGA West. There, he was known as the neighborhood handyman. Afterwards, they retired to life in Dennis. He was a member of the Retired Men’s Club.

On their many cross-country trips, they visited friends in Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico. On their return trips, they always visited family in Chicago and Pittsburgh. They were avid world travelers. Their most enjoyable trips were being on safari in Tanzania and Kenya as well as their trip to Ukraine.

Summers on Cape Cod, he enjoyed long walks on the beach with his first dog, Annie. For the past ten years, he and Sheila acted as a Host Family for the YD Red Sox of the Cape Cod Baseball League. Over the years, they housed more than forty players and coaches. Most notably, Austin Wells of the New York Yankees and Shane Beiber of Cleveland, Guardians. He not only attended the YD games but also supported these players at various colleges in southern California. Jim cooked for the players who loved his taco bar after a late away game.

Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, November 10 from 4-7PM at Doane, Beal & Ames of South Dennis (route 134). Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, November 11 at 10AM, St. Pius X, 5 Barbara Street in South Yarmouth.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dana Farber or a charity of your choice.