John A Gillis Jr.

WATERVILLE – John A. Gillis, Jr., 75, of Waterville, passed away on Dec. 27, 2021, at Sandy River Center in Farmington. He was born on Sept. 11, 1946, to John A Gillis, Sr and Rita (Guay) Gillis in Lynn, Mass.He graduated from Lynn Vocational and Trade School in 1965. He worked at the MBTA and General Electric in Massachusetts before moving to Maine where he worked for Uplift, Inc and MSAD #49. He also served as a volunteer firefighter. John was a member of Pleasant Street United Methodist Church and North Conway Rail Association. He was a friend of Bill W where he gained lifelong relationships that he cherished deeply. John was an avid sports fan who loved watching all Boston sports teams and local high school sports, especially his beloved Lawrence Bulldogs. He enjoyed church suppers, attending local civic events and riding a train anywhere it would take him. He also had a great interest in watching the weather and following weather events both locally and nationally. John is survived by his sons, Sean Gillis of Waterville and Lawrence Gillis and his fiancé April Doyon of Waterville, his daughter, Colleen Valera and her husband Jay Valera of Gardiner; his sisters Joan Driscoll of Marblehead, Mass. and Marlene Gillis of Marblehead, Mass.; and longtime friend, Debbie Gillis of Waterville. Special thanks to the staff of Sandy River Center and Beacon Hospice Care for all the help and great care that they provided to John.