John Robert Gillis

John Robert Gillis, 56, of Ipswich and Medford, Massachusetts passed away on July 21, 2025. He was born on October 29, 1968, to Walter James and Sally Ann Gillis of Medford. Following the death of his beloved parents in 1983, he was raised by his eldest brother Stephen and wife Diana.

John grew up in Medford, the fifth of six children, where he developed a love of sports and excelled as a student athlete, playing football and lacrosse. John graduated from Medford High School in 1986 and continued his education at UMass Amherst. He graduated in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in Economics with a minor in History. John was a successful loan officer for over 30 years and worked alongside his brother Kevin for many of them. 

John’s pride and joy were his four children: Charlie, Patrick, Annie and Jack. He was a constant presence at their sporting events, coaching and sharing his love for athletic competition as a devoted member of Ipswich Youth Sports. He loved to see his children thrive on the field, especially in football and lacrosse. He never missed a game and was always the loudest in the stands. Anyone that knew John knew that one of his proudest moments was watching his sons win the Lacrosse State Championship in 2017.

John enjoyed cooking for his family, telling stories, expanding and sharing his love for history, spending time reading at Pavillion Beach, listening to his daughter play the violin and golfing with his sons.

John was predeceased by his loving parents, Sally and Walter Gillis, grandfather, John J. McCabe and grandmother Mary “Sis” McCabe, great Aunt Sister Huberta McCabe and his Uncle Charlie and Aunt Jane Gillis. He is survived by his children Charlie and his wife Ciara of Ipswich, Patrick, Annie and Jack, and his former wife Katie Cheever Gillis, all of Ipswich; his siblings: Stephen and wife Diana of Georgetown, Michael of Rockport, Lee Conlon of Medford, W. James and wife Theresa of Andover and Kevin and wife Laura of Newburyport and his closest cousin Chip and wife Michelle of Burlington as well as many nieces and nephews, family and friends.

Family and Friends are invited to calling hours on Monday evening, July 28th from 5 – 7 pm at the Morris Funeral Home (45 North Main Street, Ipswich, MA). Plans for a Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made to support his children’s education at https://go.fidelity.com/yv3tym. To send a letter of condolence to the Gillis Family, please go to: MorrisFH.com.

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