Obituary of Harley L. Gillespie

Harley Lester Gillespie has taken his next step on the journey to eternal life, having passed away peacefully in his sleep while being supported by family and friends. Harley L. Gillespie was born March 8, 1919 to Mary Estella Primrose and Harley Brown Gillespie in Stockton, California. His early childhood was spent at Stockton's Oak Park, where his family operated concessions, a shooting gallery and the "Scenic Railway" (roller coaster). His childhood memories of family life with his older sister Mabel and brother Alexander ("Bump") were always the topic of conversation whenever they got together. His summers were spent in Lodi, California with his Grandmother Williams (Primrose), where he learned to count at a very young age by playing cards. He graduated from Livingston High School in 1937, where he served as Class President. After high school, Harley lived with his Uncle Charles and Aunt Maud in Spokane, Washington, where he attended Gonzaga University for two years. He relocated to Hawaii in 1939 and worked as a civilian heavy truck operator at Schofield Barracks. He was there on December 7, 1941, the day that things changed for so many of the "Greatest Generation". Like so many other young men, Harley entered the U.S. Army in 1943. He served with the 119th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion in Normandy and central Europe until victory was achieved in Europe. He was honorably discharged from the army on December 31, 1945. Returning home to California after the war, "Gill" (a nickname he acquired in the service) married Shirley M. Davis of Aptos on January 18, 1946. They settled in King City, California, where he opened Gill's Fountain and they started their family. In the early 1950's the family moved back to the coast and opened Gill's Cafeteria in downtown Monterey. Over the next decade Gill was partnered in several restaurant ventures, including catering services that served at the Laguna Seca Road Races and at the early days of the "Crosby Clambake" and golf tournament at Pebble Beach. Moving to Santa Cruz in 1964, Gill worked in real estate, as well as managing the Brookdale Lodge Coffee shop for a short period. Turning a new page in his life, Gill went to work in the construction industry at Sea Berg Metal Fabricators, for a "two week job", and, after ten years there, he and two sons were presented with the opportunity to buy the business. The family has now operated the iron shop in Santa Cruz for more than 37 years. Gill was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, serving in the priesthood as a counselor, Bishop and as a member of the High Council. Harley and Shirley answered their call and served as missionaries for the church until her passing in 1983. Gill remarried in 1984 to Suzanne W. (Bruce) Patchen. Gill kept his hand in the kitchen by being the chef at the church's girl's camp for many years and is affectionately known as "Pinky" to many because of his way of showing up as the Pink Panther everywhere. An active and generous family man Gill was always there for everyone in all of his families, be it his church family, his work family or his home families. He was equally at home as the chef for a hundred at girl's camp or for a few around a backyard barbeque. He was always ready for a party and would often host a group of twenty or more for outings to the theatre or a night of auto racing at the Watsonville Speedway, where he would lead the cheering section while his sons and granddaughter mixed it up in the Figure-eight. Harley was preceded in death by his wives Shirley (1983) and Suzanne (2010), and his brother, sister, and one grandson. He is survived by his three sons; John Norman Gillespie (Patricia) of Moroni, Utah, James P. Gillespie (Boni Jean) of Santa Cruz, California and Harley F. Gillespie (Sandi) of Soquel, California. He also leaves behind six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and all those who were touched by his love. Services will be held Friday, May 23rd 2014, at 10:30 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 220 Elk Street, Santa Cruz, CA, with a reception following a private family interment.