Jack H. Gilley

Southwest Harbor Jack H. Gilley, 89, died peacefully at his home on Oct. 8, 2022. He was born June 20, 1933, in Manset, the son of Richard W. and Eleanor M. (Hadlock) Gilley. Jack graduated from Pemetic High School in 1953. Jack was very active in sports, basketball being his passion. One of his favorite memories is when Pemetic won the Eastern Maine tournament his senior year. After high school, Jack was drafted, serving in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955. For nine months of his tour, he was stationed in West Berlin, Germany, guarding Nazi war criminals at the Spandau Prison. Once discharged from military duties, Jack returned home to Southwest Harbor. He took a job as a Civil Service employee at the U.S. Coast Guard Station. The job required him to travel coastal Maine working on automation of lighthouses. Jack’s appreciation for basketball continued well into adulthood. He and other hometown natives formed a semi-pro team that would play for many years to come. Jack was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed spending time with his buddies camping and boating throughout Maine. After retirement, he enjoyed lobster fishing as a hobby and became involved with bird carving at the Wendell Gilley Museum, Southwest Harbor. Jack was an active member of the American Legion Post No. 69, for which he was commander for five years. He developed an admiration for the Southwest Harbor Historical Society and contributed his time by collecting and donating articles for their display site. And let’s not leave out Jack’s love for the game of cribbage. Anyone who played him can testify to his profound competitive nature. He is survived by his daughters, Ellen Stanley and husband, Frank, and Laura Sullivan and husband, Donnie; seven grandchildren, Kyle and Shannon Stanley, Jesse and Jilllian Gilley, Mindy Letson, Aaron and Shelby Sullivan; 10 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Jack was predeceased by his beloved wife of 59 years, Marguerite (Ames) Gilley, son Jackie and brother Wayne. The family would like to thank Dr. Tanya Hanke and Northern Light Hospice for their exceptional support and care. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, at Mount Height Cemetery, Southwest Harbor. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack’s memory may be made to the Southwest Harbor American Legion Post No. 69, P.O. Box 1022, Southwest Harbor or SWH Historical Society, P.O. Box 272, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679. Arrangements in care of Jordan-Fernald, 1139 Main St., Mount Desert. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.