Joseph C. Gillen

Joseph C. Gillen, 93, passed away on Friday, August 25, 2017 at his home surrounded by his large and loving family.

Funeral: 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 30, 2017, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.

Interment: Greenwood Memorial Park.

Visitation: 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, August 29, 2017, with the recitation of the rosary at 7 p.m. at Biggers Funeral Home.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Thomas the Apostle Church Building Fund or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Joe considered St. Jude a very close personal friend.

Born on March 9, 1924 in Brooklyn, New York, Joe was the son of the late Clarence Joseph and Mary (Griffin) Gillen. He graduated from Regis High School in Manhattan, New York in 1942 and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp. the day after his graduation. He flew more than 200 combat missions in WWII, earning three Oak Leaf Clusters to his Distinguished Flying Cross medal, an Air Medal with five clusters, an Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon with one star, and the Presidential Unit Citation.

Joe returned to civilian life in 1945 to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming an airline pilot and was blessed with a 40 year career doing what he loved most. He married a beautiful redhead, the late Mary Gloria (Hayes), with whom he shared 65 wonderful years and raised ten children. Joe was known for his quick Irish humor, unfailing kindness and the twinkle in his eye, which beamed to the end.

Joe was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Gloria and beloved grandson, Brian Hayes Gillen.

Survivors: Joe is survived by his children, Maryellen, Jane (Sam) Evert, Timothy, Cathleen Darch, Deborah (Evelyn Mason), Kevin (Joan), Megan, Brian (Denise), Sean (Karen) and Damian; 14 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; and dear family friend Joseph Folly.