Robert Uhlar Gillis

Bobby, was born at the former Mary Alley Hospital on Franklin Street on September 8th, 1944 and remained a life-long "Header", living in and working in the town that he loved. He passed suddenly on December 1st and will be missed by his family and all that knew him for his gruff humor, fierce independence, and devotion to family.

He was the son of the late Katherine (Uhlar) and William Gillis and was raised by his mother, along with his siblings - Lillian, Bill, and Kathy - after the death of his father when Bobby was just a toddler. Bobby's life revolved around the heart of downtown Marblehead - shadowing his older brother around the Gerry School playground, fishing at Redd's Pond, his family's grocery store ( Mandy's), and the athletic fields on which he excelled as a young athlete - playing Babe Ruth baseball at just nine-years old.

Bobby attended Marblehead High School, graduating in 1962, and continued on to Cushing Academy on a football scholarship. He attended Northeastern University for two years and graduated from Salem State University. A devoted son, Bobby chose to return to Marblehead in order to help his mother manage the family grocery store on Elm Street. Bobby was a well-known bartender at Maddies Sail Loft, Michael's House and Sweeny's and worked for the Marblehead Park & Recreation Department and Marblehead Tree Department for over 25 years, taking care of the playing fields and parks of his hometown. Bobby was an avid fisherman and spent many an early morning fishing with his brother on the "Mandy" and seeing Bobby cycling around town was also a common sight.

Above all, Bobby was a loved brother and uncle. Holidays were an opportunity for him to display his generosity to his nieces and nephews and show off his athletic prowess with street hockey and wiffleball. He liked nothing better than "sending" someone's croquet ball rolling down Watson Street during a 4th of July cookout or having a shut-out in net after a Thanksgiving dinner with family. Everyone knew the more he teased you, the more he loved you…and there was always a lot of teasing! Bobby was also a fixture on the hillside at Piper Stadium, along the boards at the O'Keefe Center, and court or track side supporting the young athletes in his family of whom he was secretly so proud.

Bobby is predeceased by his father, William, his mother, Katherine, his brother, Bill, and brother-in-law, Bob Till. He leaves his sisters, Lillian Till and Katherine Gillis, his sister-in-law, Sandra Gillis, and nieces; Pam Flynn, Wendy Gillis, Brenda Dumais, and Susan Till, and nephews; Bill Gillis and Andrew Gillis, 13 grand-nieces and nephews, and 5 great-nieces and nephews.

Arrangements are under the care of Eustis & Cornell of Marblehead, 142 Elm Street. To share a memory or offer condolences to the family please visit eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com.