Obituary for Walter F. Gill
Walter F. Gill Sr. of Enfield CT, loving husband to the late Barbara T. Gill, died peacefully on Monday, August 8, 2022 at Evergreen Healthcare Center with his family by his side. He was born on July 31, 1930, in Boston Massachusetts, the son of the late Harold and Norine Gill.
Walter attended Dorchester High School where he became interested in football and boxing. After graduating High School, Walter was drafted in the U.S. Army. He trained state side for several months, at several different bases in the U.S., before being sent to Korea to fight in the Korean War. After an honorable discharge from the army, Walter returned home to Boston. Walter and Barbara were married on November 28, 1953 and resided in Dorchester MA. While working full time to support his family, he attended Northeastern University in Boston during the evenings. After receiving a promotion at work, he moved his family to Manchester, NH in 1960. In 1965 they moved again to Enfield, CT.
Walter worked for McGraw Hill Publishing for over 40 years until his retirement in 1992. Walter’s favorite thing to do was to sing. Music and singing were his biggest passions in life. He and Barbara had met while singing on a local radio show in Boston. He belonged to many Barbershop quartets, winning many awards, and accolades. He directed the choir at Holy Family Church for over 20 years and sang at many weddings and funerals. His voice was a gift from God and many of his children and grandchildren inherited this same gift.
Walter is survived by his eight children, Kevin F. Gill of Enfield CT. Maureen G. Ahearn and husband Michael of Enfield CT. Daniel T. Gill of Enfield CT., Michael J. Gill and his wife Linda from Feeding Hills, MA., Christopher J. Gill and his wife Sharon of Enfield CT., Walter F. Gill Jr. and wife Paula of Somers CT., Kenneth P. Gill and his wife Lisa of Enfield CT., Patrick D. Gill, and his wife Jill from East Granby CT.
He also leaves his grandchildren whom he loved so much: Christopher Gill of Enfield CT, Meghan Ahearn of Londonderry NH, Kristin DePray and her husband Brian of Suffield CT, Joseph Gill of Feeding Hills Ma., Timothy Gill of West Springfield MA., Sean Gill of Enfield CT., Sarah Gill of Somers CT., Ryan Gill and his wife Kialeigh of Avon CT, Jameson Gill and Brady Gill of East Granby CT. He recently became a great grandfather to Walter Ryan Gill of Avon CT.
In addition to his parents, Walter was predeceased by his brother Harold and sisters Norma and Elizabeth.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Evergreen Healthcare Center in Stafford Springs, CT for their expert and loving care of Walter.
Walter’s family will receive friends on Monday August 15, 2022 at Leete-Stevens Funeral Home, 61 South Rd, Enfield CT from 4pm to 7pm.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday August 16, 2022 at 11 am at St Jeanne Jugan/Holy Family Church, 23 Simon Rd. Enfield, CT 06082. The family requests that everyone meet at the church. Interment with full military honors will follow at St Patrick’s King St. Cemetery, Enfield.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Little Sisters of the Poor at St Joseph’s Residence, 1365 Enfield St, Enfield, CT 06082-4925
For online condolences, please visit www.leetestevens.com
Walter attended Dorchester High School where he became interested in football and boxing. After graduating High School, Walter was drafted in the U.S. Army. He trained state side for several months, at several different bases in the U.S., before being sent to Korea to fight in the Korean War. After an honorable discharge from the army, Walter returned home to Boston. Walter and Barbara were married on November 28, 1953 and resided in Dorchester MA. While working full time to support his family, he attended Northeastern University in Boston during the evenings. After receiving a promotion at work, he moved his family to Manchester, NH in 1960. In 1965 they moved again to Enfield, CT.
Walter worked for McGraw Hill Publishing for over 40 years until his retirement in 1992. Walter’s favorite thing to do was to sing. Music and singing were his biggest passions in life. He and Barbara had met while singing on a local radio show in Boston. He belonged to many Barbershop quartets, winning many awards, and accolades. He directed the choir at Holy Family Church for over 20 years and sang at many weddings and funerals. His voice was a gift from God and many of his children and grandchildren inherited this same gift.
Walter is survived by his eight children, Kevin F. Gill of Enfield CT. Maureen G. Ahearn and husband Michael of Enfield CT. Daniel T. Gill of Enfield CT., Michael J. Gill and his wife Linda from Feeding Hills, MA., Christopher J. Gill and his wife Sharon of Enfield CT., Walter F. Gill Jr. and wife Paula of Somers CT., Kenneth P. Gill and his wife Lisa of Enfield CT., Patrick D. Gill, and his wife Jill from East Granby CT.
He also leaves his grandchildren whom he loved so much: Christopher Gill of Enfield CT, Meghan Ahearn of Londonderry NH, Kristin DePray and her husband Brian of Suffield CT, Joseph Gill of Feeding Hills Ma., Timothy Gill of West Springfield MA., Sean Gill of Enfield CT., Sarah Gill of Somers CT., Ryan Gill and his wife Kialeigh of Avon CT, Jameson Gill and Brady Gill of East Granby CT. He recently became a great grandfather to Walter Ryan Gill of Avon CT.
In addition to his parents, Walter was predeceased by his brother Harold and sisters Norma and Elizabeth.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Evergreen Healthcare Center in Stafford Springs, CT for their expert and loving care of Walter.
Walter’s family will receive friends on Monday August 15, 2022 at Leete-Stevens Funeral Home, 61 South Rd, Enfield CT from 4pm to 7pm.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday August 16, 2022 at 11 am at St Jeanne Jugan/Holy Family Church, 23 Simon Rd. Enfield, CT 06082. The family requests that everyone meet at the church. Interment with full military honors will follow at St Patrick’s King St. Cemetery, Enfield.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Little Sisters of the Poor at St Joseph’s Residence, 1365 Enfield St, Enfield, CT 06082-4925
For online condolences, please visit www.leetestevens.com