Gillespie, John Earl
June 4, 1948 - August 29, 2024
John Gillespie, a man of great character, loved by all who knew him, passed away peacefully on August 29, 2024, after a brief battle with cancer.
He will be desperately missed by his partner, Jody Hodgkinson of Collingwood, Ontario, and his daughters, Cecily Heslett (Richard Heslett) of Elora, Ontario, and Rheba Gillespie (Daniel Morgenstern), of Toronto, Ontario. A beloved “Grandpa G” to Emily, Will, Vivien, Eden, Lydia, and Owen.
John was born on June 4, 1948, to Henrietta (nee Gibbons) and Herman Gillespie. He and his siblings were raised on the family farm in St. Vincent Township, south of Meaford, Ontario. John will be missed by his brother Ross Gillespie and was predeceased by his brother Don and his sister Anne Scott, and will be remembered fondly by Anne’s partner Doug MacIntosh.
Admired uncle of Tim Gillespie, Brent Scott, and Dana Scott. Cherished by Sarah and Steve Pyke, and Ryan Warren. Greatly missed by the entire Hodgkinson family, who knew him since childhood, and his cousins, David Gillespie (Karen Gillespie) and Robert Gillespie. Adored by his faithful dog, Lola, who provided him with much comfort and companionship.
John was loved by everyone who knew him, from childhood friends to new neighbours. He had a wonderful way with people and always knew the right story to tell. He had a great sense of humour and a charming wit. John was a loyal and reliable friend. He was old-school – a man of his word. A verbal deal and a handshake were as binding as a legal contract. As a father, he offered a wealth of wisdom. He gave his children enough room to be themselves but always had the right words to guide them. As a partner, he was an eternal romantic: loving, kind, generous, and attentive.
From a young age, John was never far from his guitar. His most treasured possession was his brother Don’s old Gibson. Many nights were spent with friends and family singing and telling stories. He was drawn to songs that told tales of imperfect characters and the challenges of life.
John was a man of many talents and skills beyond measure. He could drill a well, build a boat, operate a crane, construct a cabin out of a humble grain silo, and turn a set of old, rusty wagon wheels into a stunning covered wagon. Everything he built had a tiny fireplace, “’Cause you’d never want to be cold.” His dreams and projects were deeply personal and often unconventional. Much time was spent at “Home Base” in Timmy’s shop where creativity flowed and ideas came to life. At times, he was in such a rush to get a project finished that he couldn’t take the time to park straight, turn off the engine, and shut the truck door before getting that last measurement. He valued hard work and would often say, “It’s just work. If I keep at it, it’ll get done.” He also spent many happy hours at his island near Whitefish Falls, Ontario; the focus for many of these wonderful projects.
John lived a life of endless adventure and brought many friends along for the ride. He was a dreamer right up until the end. He always said, “It doesn’t matter if the dream ever happens. What matters is that you had a dream.”
To quote the late Jimmy Buffet, from a song Dad loved, through 76 years “of perpetual motion… some of it’s magic, some of it’s tragic, but I had a good life all the way.”
A heartfelt thank you to the staff at St. Michael’s Hospital, in Toronto, for the love and compassion they showed our family during this difficult time.
A Celebration of John’s Life will take place at the Meaford Hall on Sunday, October 27, 2024 from 1 until 5 p.m., with tributes at 2 o’clock.
As your expression of sympathy, donations to the St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation or the Meaford Hospital Foundation would be appreciated and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON N4L 1B9 to whom arrangements have been entrusted. www.fergusonfuneralhomes.ca
Details
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Friday, August 30, 2024
John was one of a kind. Went to public school with John, lived across the road, his father and our father were good friends. John will always be remember as a very music loving, kind gental man. He will be greatly missed my all who knew him and loved him. Our condolences to Jody the love of her life, and his daughters and their families
Friday, August 30, 2024
So sorry Jody to learn of your untimely loss of John. I spent the first few years of my life in your stone house across the road from the Gillespies and still have fond memories of those good times. Blessings to you and your family.
Keith & Su-Anne
Friday, August 30, 2024
John came back into the Hodgkinson Family after a lot of years It was just like he’d always been in our family. He was a very Wise Man. Also his sense of Humour always a laugh with John . He will be missed by our Family especially his Partner Jody. They were meant to be together.RIP John
Saturday, August 31, 2024
We are so saddened to hear of John’s passing.
Over the years we were fortunate to get to know him as a very good friend.
His amazing sense of humour, great life stories & genuine interest in our day to day lives will be truly missed.
John not only had amazing vision of what he wanted to do on his island, but he had the skills to follow through to make it an amazing place to visit.
He had a way of seeing things in everyday life & making us gain a new appreciation for them.
He will be truly missed by all who knew him.
Saturday, August 31, 2024
John was one of the most unique people I have had the fortune of knowing. I will miss the stories, his views on different topics and our reminiscing of life and people who have come and gone off the 4th line. My deepest condolences to his family and foremost, to my dear friend Jody!!
Saturday, August 31, 2024
Our sincere sympathies to Jody, Cecily, Rheba and John’s extended family. His kind and friendly demeanour will be missed by our little community at Lighthouse Point.
The Philbrooks
Saturday, August 31, 2024
Gail and I want to express our sincere sympathy to Jody, Cecily, Rheba and John”s entire family. He was a real gentleman and such a pleasure to be around. We are so very sorry for your loss. RIP John
Bob and Gail MATTHEWS
Saturday, August 31, 2024
My sincere condolences Jody. My thoughts are with you at this sad time.
Saturday, August 31, 2024
My sincere sympathy to you Jody and families with the loss of John. He was a man of great talent and enjoyed his island. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Saturday, August 31, 2024
So sorry Jody to hear about John….
My condolences to your Family.
Saturday, August 31, 2024
Sorry for your loss Jody. Condolences to the family at this time, Cherish your many great memories.
Saturday, August 31, 2024
Our condolences to Jodie and your family, I didn’t know John all that well, but I drank a few beer with him in our late teens and early 20s. A great guy.
Saturday, August 31, 2024
My condolences. I had the pleasure of working with John from 1977 into the early 1990’s.
Saturday, August 31, 2024
Sincere condolences to Jody, Cecily, Rheba, Tim, family and friends. He was an amazing man and a dear friend. I will miss his tremendously. Ken
Saturday, August 31, 2024
So sorry for your loss Jody. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Saturday, August 31, 2024
Jodi, Gillespie family and Hodgkinson family :
We are sorry for your loss. It sounds like he touched many lives in a positive way.
Randy, Julie, Janet, Sharon, Bernie (Woodhouse)
Saturday, August 31, 2024
Jody, Cecily, Rheba and families.
So sorry to hear of the passing of John. May your memories comfort you all in the days and months ahead.
RIP John
Sunday, September 1, 2024
Jody~
We are very sad to hear about John.
Our sincere sympathy to you and your families.
Deb and Jim
Sunday, September 1, 2024
So sorry for loss of John, went to public school with John and have fond memories of our shenanigans growing up always a lot of fun our deepest condolences to Jody and his girls.
Sunday, September 1, 2024
My deepest condolences. I remember John as a kind, gentle man. He was so intelligent and one the most interesting people I have ever met. So sorry for your loss.
Sunday, September 1, 2024
I’m very sorry to hear of John’s passing. I’ve read through the previous messages and agree with so much that others have said and felt. We pass through our lives and have to be thankful if we cross paths with the likes of John Gillespie; we are much richer for it. Lots of great memories from my time working with John and if I were paying royalties to him for each time I told one of his jokes or used one of his turns of phrase, he would have had good money in the bank. Some things are still “as handy as a shirt pocket” to me and I think of John when people comment on one of his expressions. He cut a wide swath and I’m happy that his life touched mine. Rest easy, John.
Sunday, September 1, 2024
Dear Jody and the entire family,
Sending our sincere condolences on the passing of John;
We had the good fortune of being neighbours with Jody and John for the past 5 years at lighthouse point and the eulogy above truly captures what a kind, hardworking, devoted and creative individual he was.
Sunday, September 1, 2024
So sorry to hear John passed away, I had the pleasure of working with him during apple season for a few years. Jody will sure miss you
Sunday, September 1, 2024
My sincere condolences to Jody and John’s family.
Sunday, September 1, 2024
Orval & Micki Beam we’re very sorry to hear of John’s passing, our sincere condolences to Jody,Cecily, Rheba, Tim, and Families, we met John in early years of Consumers Gas, I was on many jobs with John and enjoyed his company, humor on life, get togathers at their home on Ott. Rd.and others homes in Ridgeway area, enjoyed him playing the Banjo, he sure did leave his mark with a lot of friends & co-workers, Rest in Peace John, you will be remembered by all.
Sunday, September 1, 2024
I was so sorry to hear about John’s passing, I had hoped to see him again. There are many memories when they moved into Ott Rd, how amazed John was when Rheba let me pull her baby tooth with an ancient instrument, how Neil spent hours working on a boat, with a lot of socializing. He was such a very nice man.
My deepest sympathy to his loved ones
Monday, September 2, 2024
What a wonderful tribute to John! Thinking of you, Jody and John’s family with sincere sympathy.
Monday, September 2, 2024
As the saying goes “gone but never forgotten “. Our deepest sympathies to Jody and John’s girls & their family. RIP John
Monday, September 2, 2024
… Saddened by John’s passing, I firstly think of Jody, Rheba, and Cecily’s loss. Sympathy & condolences to both extended families ❤️
… John was 4 yrs old when I first met him at Herman & Etta’s place during a Summer fencing project. I was 7, and my father Harold had dropped me off for a week. His photography studio in Guelph had just burned down. Right away, Ross hailed brother Don tasking him with teaching me to shift gears and drive the old pickup. I then carried posts & wire with it round the property line. John was busy in the middle, running for this & that, passing & holding things for everyone. I still see him busy helping others and his family. Rest in peace John. You’ve left us all with fondest memories.
Monday, September 2, 2024
Jody.
Rene and I were saddened to hear of John’s passing. Hold all of your memories close to your heart. Please know that we are thinking of you and Johns family and friends during this difficult time. Our sincere condolences .
Rene and Barb DeCoste
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
John and I saw each other occasionally when I was growing up and he was my older cousin that I admired. At some point we went different paths and weren’t in touch for around 40 years. As luck would have it we starting seeing each again around 2005 when John came to Alberta to work in the oilfields. For 5 years in a row he would stay with Karen and I and our family in Edmonton for a couple of weeks while he studied for his required exams. During these times we got a chance to reconnect, enjoy each other’s company and have some great talks about many things but especially family. In June we fortunately we got to visit him at his island home which he was so proud of. I’ll miss John. He was a great friend and cousin.
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
So sorry Jody. My heart aches for you
Thursday, September 5, 2024
Hola,
It was with great sadness to learn the passing of John.
Met John way back in 1962 in high school ( Alliston Ont.)
We kept in contact all those years even when we moved to Alberta.
Recently in 2021 we moved to Panama but still hooked up with Jody & John when they holidayed in Coronado region in Jan./23.
Spent 2 days & had a great visit.
Hoped for more down the road, but alas, not to be.
John….. Hasta Luego…..
Thursday, September 5, 2024
So sorry for your loss Jody. My thoughts go out to John’s daughters and their families.
Janice Bayley
Thursday, September 5, 2024
Oh Boy!! What a shock! Did not know he was ill. My condolences to all the Family. Last time I talked to him was near Christmas. Got a call out of the blue (as usual). Last time saw him was 2011 when he was in Alberta for work. Have known John since high school. We had some great times together over the years, lots of stories could tell. Always enjoyed hearing of his latest endeavors which were many, always something new, how many can say they own an Island!! I will miss him but but have GREAT memories!
Saturday, September 7, 2024
Sincere condolences, Jody, and family, on the loss of your beloved John. We are thinking of you in your time of sorrow. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Jody…I am so sorry to hear that John has passed away. While it has been many years since we lived in Griersville area on the 4th line I have never forgotten our neighbors.
I know you will miss John. My thoughts are with you and your family at this time.
Shirley (Vamplew) Parks
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
It was my pleasure and honour to know John. We both shared a love for the North Channel and the peace of being on the water. His island was a wonderful reflection of his spirit.
Rob Norris
Little Current
Monday, September 16, 2024
Jody my friend, I’m so very sorry for your loss. To all John’s family my sincerest condolences. May you all be comforted in your memories of John in the days ahead.