Alfred G. Gillis

Alfred was known for many things by those who loved him. A big man, standing almost 6’7”, his very stature commanded respect (and earning him the nickname, “Big Al”), not to mention a natural on the University of Pennsylvania basketball court.

His frugal nature, learned from his depression-era parents, taught him how everything should be cherished and honored, never taken for granted. His dedication to his career was legendary, again learned from his own physician-father who always exclaimed, “patients first!” But Alfred’s vision of growing his business was always a means to support and provide for his family.

Alfred Gerald Gillis was born on January 3, 1943, in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania. He passed away peacefully on February 11, 2023, surrounded by his loved ones, in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. The only child of Alfred George Gillis, a physician and surgeon in the U.S. Army and Mary Murphy Gillis, a homemaker, both from Nanticoke.

He attended Wyoming Seminary College Preparatory School, from whence he graduated in 1960. From there, he traveled southeast to the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton. He graduated from Penn in 1964. When he felt the calling to study law, he went on to Dickinson School of Law (now Penn State Dickinson Law), graduating in 1967.

An avid golfer, Big Al joined Merion Golf Club in 1974. He won 3 Member Member Championships there, as well as three at the Kiawah Island Club!

It was one of Alfred’s best friends in law school who set him up on a classic blind date. The match proved to be a stellar one and Alfred married Howerton Lawrence, of Richmond, Virginia, on a sweltering day in June of 1969. Together they had three sons: Alfred Gerald Gillis, Jr., known as “A.G.”, Jeffrey Lawrence Gillis, known as “Jake,” with whom he had two children with his first wife (UnHui), Isabella and Aurelia. Jake remarried to Kelly Ta, with whom he welcomed her daughter, Jayla. The third son, Dixon Farrell Gillis, with wife Carey, had four children Sebastian, Jackson, Dixon, and Lexington. Mother Howerton passed away in May 2003 after a challenging battle with cancer. In 2011, he met his second love, Barbara Birr, at a church-sponsored singles event at St. David’s Church. They were married in 2019, and Barbara was a wonderful partner, companion, (and primary caregiver) to Alfred. Barbara has shown her unconditional love for Alfred, especially during the difficult times of his illness.

While practicing law in the mid-1980s, he had an opportunity to start a business which involved student accident insurance; indeed, the policies he wrote as an attorney became the programs he would serve in k-12 student insurance. The company he founded eventually became A-G Administrators, now a national leader in intercollegiate and interscholastic insurance.

A man of few words, he had some varied and unique interests. Big Al was a lover of fun and camaraderie---be it puzzles, reading, gambling (especially at the craps table!), Yahtzee, and of course his love for the game of golf. He had a lifelong group of friends from Lebanon, Pennsylvania, whom he met-up with most every Tuesday (weather permitting). They called themselves the Woodchucks. Their Tuesday golf games were then followed by epic card games of gin rummy and laughter as they closed down the club. He enjoyed so many of his friendships that were made on the golf course, especially on the 19th hole!

But if Alfred is to be remembered for one thing, it would have to be his cognizance of his own legacy. He strived to make his “patients first” dad proud of him and likewise, he wanted his children to carry on his legacy as he so diligently worked to support his family. His genuine and sincere personality was always refreshing in an environment often influenced by superficiality. He was always honest with himself and with those around him. But as sincere as he was, when you had him in the right moment, such as Sunday afternoons in the fall, a golf game or the craps table, it was truly remarkable to witness the intense joy and elation from such a big man.

Big Al was a legend, and one whom will be dearly missed.

A viewing will be held Thursday evening, February 23, at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, Pa. - https://stdavidschurch.org - 5:30-7:30. A Memorial services will be Friday, February 24, at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, Pa, at 10:30 AM, led by our dear family friend, Frank Allen, St. David’s Church Rector. Flowers may be sent to St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA. Donations are also being accepted for St. David’s Rector fund “Discretionary Fund-Rector”, supporting local families in need. https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=101663

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AllevaFuneralHome.com for the Gillis family.