Obituary of Allison James Gillis

Gillis, Allison James

Passed peacefully at the Charlotte County Hospital on Tuesday, April 1st, 2025, just 4 days shy of his 86th birthday. Allison was born in St Stephen, NB on April 5th, 1939, the son of the late Hazen and Florence (McCullough) Gillis. He was predeceased by his wife Norma Lucy (MacNichol) Gillis with whom he was married for 50 years.

Allison studied drafting at the Saint John Vocational School before going on to become a licensed finish carpenter. His drafting skills were an asset on the job as he was able to read blueprints, a valued skill when building houses. He spent the majority of his career working for Morton Mitchell Construction in St Andrews, first with Morton himself and later with Morton’s son Eric when he took over the business. He worked there until his retirement.

Allison is survived by his daughter Cathy (Ludwik) of Whitehorse, Yukon and his son Peter (Monica) of Gatineau, Quebec along with granddaughters Tennsy and Sascha and great granddaughter Ocean. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Elaine MacNichol, sister-in-law Janet MacNichol and brother-in-law Eldon Roach along with several nieces and nephews and their families. He was predeceased by his older sister Myrtis Roach, twin sister Alice Johnson and younger brother Donnie Gillis as well as brother in law Allison (Brud) MacNichol, with whom he was good friends and sister in law Barbara (MacNichol) Myles.

Allison was an avid golfer for many years and spent lots of time at the arena when Peter was involved with minor hockey as a child. In later years he enjoyed driving around town and counting deer. If you were in St Andrews, you might see him several times a day on his route which included the point, the Bar Rd and the golf course. While visiting home over the years, Cathy and Peter have fond memories of their father saying: “Well, we better take a drive around the point.”

Allison was a resident of the Passamaquoddy Lodge in St Andrews for the last two years of his life. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at the lodge for their care and kindness during his time there. The family is also thankful for the care Allison received at the Charlotte Country Hospital over the last few weeks as well. Cathy and Peter would like to thank their aunt, Elaine MacNichol, for visiting their father regularly at the lodge and at the hospital.

A graveside service will be held at 2PM on Monday May 12, 2025 at the St. Andrews Rural Cemetery (Cemetery Road St. Andrews NB). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association in memory of Norma or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care & direction of Humphreys Funeral Home, 20 Marks Street, St. Stephen, NB, E3L 2B2 (506 – 466 – 3110)