John J. Gill

John J. Gill of Rocky River, OH passed away peacefully at his home March 31, 2020 at the age of 88 of a heart attack after a long battle with Parkinson's, with his wife by his side. Beloved husband of 60 years to Joan (nee Masterson). Dearest father of Brian (dc) of Westlake, OH, Beth Gill-Oldford (Tom) of Shaker Heights, OH and Megan Gill-Kopp (Dr. Franz) of San Diego, CA. Cherished grandfather to Sarah Oldford. Dear brother to Jane Braun (John (dc)), Tom (Mary) Gill, Ellen White (Jerry (dc)), Joan Miller (deceased) (William (dc)) and Mary Alice Gill (deceased Dear brother in law to Kathy Motz (dc), Tom Masterson (Marilyn) of San Francisco, CA and Bob Masterson(dc)(Althea) of Saco, ME.

John was a Korean War Veteran, proud alumni of St. Ignatius High School class of 1950. He served as a Cleveland Firefighter while attending Cleveland Marshall Law School where he served as president of his class of 1962. Legendary trial lawyer in Cleveland for 55 years, defended John Demjanjuk in Israel in a trial that lasted 18 months along with many other high profile cases. He was a former Tribune of Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity, member of the Anchor Club, Italian American Brotherhood (Trustee Emeritus), Ohio Supreme Court, Certified Document Examiner and Certified Graphoanalist, 1978 Co-Chair of the St. Patrick's Day parade, a founding board member of the Mayo Society of Greater Cleveland and former Chief Council to the State of Ohio Public Utilities Commission, former Prosecutor City of Brook Park, Ohio. Along with his wife Joan, he was a founding member and Council of NAMI Cuyahoga County (now known as NAMI of Greater Cleveland). They were staunch advocates for the mentally ill and contributed greatly to the cause to erase stigma. John was instrumental in helping form a mental illness court in Common Pleas Court. Along with Joan he supported her effort in introducing the "CIT", Crisis Intervention Team program to our police forces which is still in place today in Cleveland. In the words of his children and friends "great friend, kind humble and brilliant gentleman, Master story teller, coach to all three of his children and their friends, loving, funny, caring, amazingly kind, a true mentor to all." He helped so many people along the way and changed some people's lives forever.

You are cordially invited to join us at a Memorial Mass for

Attorney John J. Gill and his son, Brian T. Gill, both of whom passed away in 2020.

September 18, 2021

St. Raphael’s Catholic Church

525 Dover Center Road

Bay Village, Ohio 44140

Family will receive guests in the Gathering Room at 10:00 AM.

Mass will be at 11:00 AM.

Mass will be live-streamed.

(https://boxcast.tv/view/gill-memorial-mass 341407)

Following will be a celebration of life.

Corrigan Craciun Funeral Home

23040 Center Ridge Road

Westlake, Ohio 44145

Please bring your memories to share.

Joan Gill, Beth, Tom & Sarah Oldford, Megan & Dr. Franz Kopp

If unvaccinated please wear a mask. This would be very much appreciated.