Arthur Gilles
September 08, 1950 - March 21, 2024
Obituary
Arthur "Tom" Gilles
Tom Gilles passed away peacefully Thursday, March 21, 2024, at his home. The son of the late Arthur P. and Alice (Neal) Gilles was born September 8, 1950, in Saginaw, Michigan. Tom graduated from Saginaw High. Tom served his country proudly in the United States Army for 25 years. For the first 10 years, he served as an infantryman. For the remaining time in his service, he was a helicopter mechanic and, thereafter, an instructor. Tom retired as a Sergeant First Class. While serving, he was awarded many medals, including Defense Service Medal, Army Accommodation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and many more. Upon his retirement from serving this Country, he continued utilizing his leadership skills as head of the Exceptional Metal division for Duro-Last. Tom retired from Duro-Last in 2014. Tom was a classic car enthusiast. After retiring from Duro-Last, he had the time to fulfill a lifelong dream and was so excited when he ran across a 1957 Bel Air barn find. He spent the next several years restoring it to mint condition. So if you had a hard time getting a hold of Tom during his retirement, all you had to do was go to the Big Boy on car show day and you would see him sitting outside his Bel Air talking with his buddies.
Surviving are his wife, Evelyn, of 33 years; children Lisa and Steven Pasheek, Jeremy Gilles, Brandon Gilles, Roland and Emily Cedo, Christopher and Emily Gilles; grandchildren Taylor Pasheek, Dominic Cedo, Eliza Cedo, Clementine Gilles, Ilah Sue Gilles, Bonnie Gilles; sisters Nora and John Kretschmer, Connie Lee, brothers Mike and Sharon Gilles, Patrick & Laurie Gilles; many nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends. He is predeceased in death by sisters Sally Mazzola and Colleen Riley; and his companion dog AJ.
A memorial and sharing service for family and friends will be held at Zehnder's Townhall, 730 S. Main Street, Frankenmuth, MI 48734 on April 14, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.
Interment will take place at a future date in Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, Michigan.
For information, please call Fischer Family Funeral Services at (989) 755-8277. To express your condolences, please visit www.fischerfuneral.com.
Tom Gilles passed away peacefully Thursday, March 21, 2024, at his home. The son of the late Arthur P. and Alice (Neal) Gilles was born September 8, 1950, in Saginaw, Michigan. Tom graduated from Saginaw High. Tom served his country proudly in the United States Army for 25 years. For the first 10 years, he served as an infantryman. For the remaining time in his service, he was a helicopter mechanic and, thereafter, an instructor. Tom retired as a Sergeant First Class. While serving, he was awarded many medals, including Defense Service Medal, Army Accommodation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and many more. Upon his retirement from serving this Country, he continued utilizing his leadership skills as head of the Exceptional Metal division for Duro-Last. Tom retired from Duro-Last in 2014. Tom was a classic car enthusiast. After retiring from Duro-Last, he had the time to fulfill a lifelong dream and was so excited when he ran across a 1957 Bel Air barn find. He spent the next several years restoring it to mint condition. So if you had a hard time getting a hold of Tom during his retirement, all you had to do was go to the Big Boy on car show day and you would see him sitting outside his Bel Air talking with his buddies.
Surviving are his wife, Evelyn, of 33 years; children Lisa and Steven Pasheek, Jeremy Gilles, Brandon Gilles, Roland and Emily Cedo, Christopher and Emily Gilles; grandchildren Taylor Pasheek, Dominic Cedo, Eliza Cedo, Clementine Gilles, Ilah Sue Gilles, Bonnie Gilles; sisters Nora and John Kretschmer, Connie Lee, brothers Mike and Sharon Gilles, Patrick & Laurie Gilles; many nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends. He is predeceased in death by sisters Sally Mazzola and Colleen Riley; and his companion dog AJ.
A memorial and sharing service for family and friends will be held at Zehnder's Townhall, 730 S. Main Street, Frankenmuth, MI 48734 on April 14, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.
Interment will take place at a future date in Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, Michigan.
For information, please call Fischer Family Funeral Services at (989) 755-8277. To express your condolences, please visit www.fischerfuneral.com.
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Memories
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John and Tara Thurber All Elements
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John and Tara Thurber All Elements purchased the Classic Sympathy Dish Garden for the family of Arthur "Tom" Gilles.
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Linda Gonzalez Foster
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Sending my condolences to Evelyn and family. Tom was a great person and brother-in-law. My parents loved him as a son. He will be missed but never forgotten. Rest in peace Tom
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Chad Engelsma
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I too was blessed to have met Art. He was kind enough to come into work while dealing with his illness and teach me about EM the division he helped build. His passion was contagious. During my time there Mike and I were able to meet him at his favorite diner downtown and enjoy some good food and some laughs. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Gillis family as well.
Chad Engelsma
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Mike Gwizdala
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I was fortunate to work with Art for over a decade at Duro-Last. Art was passionate about his work, a great leader, mentor and most importantly someone I could call a true friend! Our stories over the years at the Duro-Last Sales Seninar are endless. My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Gilles family.
He will be missed…rest in peace my friend!
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Linda Gonzalez Foster
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Sending my condolences to Evelyn and family. Tom was a great person and a great brother-in-law. My parents loved him. They considered him one of their sons he may be gone, but will never be forgotten. Rest in peace
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Shawn S.
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Shawn S. planted a grove of 5 Memorial Trees in honor of Arthur "Tom" Gilles.