John Quentin Gillespie

John Quentin Gillespie, age 73, of Naval Air Station Key West, Fla. passed away on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at Parkview Regional Medical Center. He was born April 18, 1949 in Fort Wayne, Ind. to the late Paul Q. and Helen (Wirey) Gillespie. John graduated from North Side High School in 1967 and Nashville Diesel Automotive College the following year. He joined the United States Navy in November of 1968 and proudly served our nation for four years active duty and two additional as a submarine mechanic in the U.S. Naval Reserve. John received the Vietnam Service Medal - Single Star and Navy Commendation Medal for heroic achievements, saving his shipmates lives with high risk to his own. He retired from the Fort Wayne Fire Department after 18 1/2 years of service in 1992. In his retirement to Key West, John loved fishing, boating, sailing and traveling the United States and Europe with his late wife, Debbie, until her passing in August of 2017. Surviving are his sister, Kay Gillespie of Fort Wayne, Ind.; cousins, Jenny (Tim) Hessler, Janet (Jake) Ekel, Susie Latimer, Ron McNeal, Rick (Rosie) Hines, Alan Hines, Dale (Corinne) Fulkerson, and Dan (Nancy) Fulkerson. He was predeceased by his wife, Debbie (Partin) Gillespie; parents, Paul and Helen (Wirey) Gillespie; and cousin, Barb Hines. A Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Saturday, October 15, 2022 at American Legion Post 409, 14133 Leo Rd, Leo, Ind. Memorial Contributions may be directed to Shepherd's House, 519 Tennessee Ave, Fort Wayne, Ind. 46805.