It is with deep sorrow and heartbreak, that we announce the death of our husband, loving father and brother on Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 at the Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital in Inverness.
Frank was born July 19th, 1940 in Inverness to the late Owen Dan Gillis and Jessie (Beaton) Gillis, Inverness. Upon graduation from Holy Family High School, Frank was employed in Inverness by Eastern Dairies of Antigonish. He was then employed by the Municipality of Inverness County as Director of Community Services for 36 years.
Frank is survived by his wife of 55 years, Alice (Doyle) Gillis, Inverness, his daughter Alison (Robert Anderson), Yellowknife, NT, and son James, Inverness. Frank is also survived by siblings, Marie (Joe) MacRae, Michigan; Lorne, Inverness/Florida; Joyce (David) Gillis, Scotsville; Gwen, Inverness; Joan (Hugh) Cameron, Scotsville; Monica (John) MacLennan, Blues Mills; Jane, Mabou; Ernest (Pauline), Mabou; Brenda (Sandy) Gillis, Inverness and sister-in-Law Carol, Mabou. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Lloyd (Yvonne) Doyle, Sydney; sister-in-law Cecila Doyle, Inverness; and Charlotte MacArthur, Dartmouth.
Besides his parents, Frank was predeceased by his brother Sandy (2016) and his sister-in-law, Marguerite Gillis (2019). He was also predeceased by his father-in-law, Ernest Doyle, and mother-in-law Catherine (MacDonald) Doyle, Inverness; brother-in-law Bernard Doyle; sister-in-law Loretta (Doyle) Green, Massachusetts.
He leaves behind many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews who brought him much joy.
Frank volunteered his time helping at many of the Inverary Manor Auxiliary parties, Alice Freeman’s Ceilidhs, The Arthritis Society of Nova Scotia, and was a lector in his church. He was also a former Board member of the Inverness Arena Commission, the ICMH Board of Directors and most recently, he served on the Board of Directors of Inverness County Home Care Agency.
Frank enjoyed travelling with his family to Massachusetts, Connecticut, Michigan, and Florida over the years visiting relatives and friends. Upon retirement he and Alice would spend occasional winters in Florida, enjoying their time there with family and friends. Frank also enjoyed watching the horse races, playing cards, watching baseball, hockey and curling on TV with Alice. He always enjoyed chatting with old friends, locally and from away about old times and growing up in Inverness. He enjoyed good food and special treats such as fudge and butterscotch pie.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be at the Inverness Funeral Home on Friday, October 9th, 2020 from 2-6 pm. Funeral mass will be held on Saturday, October 10th, 2020 at 11 am at Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church in Inverness, with Father Dan MacDonald officiating. Burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Frank may be made to Palliative Care at the Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital and the Inverary Manor Auxiliary, Inverness, NS.
A special thank you to all the healthcare staff for the excellent, compassionate, and respectful care given to Frank during his illness.
On-line condolences may be made to: www.invernessfuneralhome.com
