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In Memory

Boyd Gillingham

Boyd Gillingham

William Boyd Gillingham

OBITUARY

William Boyd Gillingham 80, of Estero, FL died on May 13, 2023, at Gulf Coast Medical Center. Boyd was born on February 7, 1943, in Beaver Falls, PA, a son of the late Harold C. and Maeola (McCally) Gillingham. He had been a resident of Southwest Florida since 1978, first living in Naples, then Bonita Springs, and finally in Estero.
He attended Geneva College in Beaver Falls and soon after began his career as a butcher.
“Pap” as he was affectionally known to his grandchildren, will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
A humble, hardworking, quiet man with a huge heart, loved nothing more than spending time with his family and watching his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers on a Football Sunday.
He is survived by his son, Timothy B. Gillingham, and his wife, Kirsten of Estero, FL; three grandchildren, Payton Longo, Derik Gillingham, and Lauren Gillingham. He is also survived by his brother, Jay E. Gillingham, and his wife, Margaret of Beaver Falls, PA.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Carole Ann Gillingham who died September 3, 2021, and his daughter, Tracie Lyn Gillingham who died August 12, 2008.
Private services were held by the family.
To sign his guest register or to leave online condolences please visit www.ShikanyFuneralHome.com.
Arrangements have been handled by Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home Family Owned and Operated Since 1978.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of William Boyd Gillingham please visit our Sympathy Store.

 
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05/30/23 12:37 PM #5    

Pauline Young (Morgan)

My sympathy and condolences to his family and friends!! We have lost another classmate who was liked and and loved by family & close friends. May he rest in peace!!!

05/30/23 01:21 PM #6    

Joan Vasas (Verner)

Russel:   That was a beautiful tribute to Boyd.   I also did not know him well, but remember him as a classmate  with a quiet dignity.   Loved your pranks at school.   I used to love when we sang at St. Mary's in the classroom.   I would sing off key until the Sister came close to my seat, and then sing in my normal voice.  It was fun to see her lowering her ear to  try and find out who was doing it, but I never got caught.   I though you were pretty cool when you went up to the blackboard, and erased your water spot.  That took  courage.  Oh, the fun of the  years we attended school, and the friends we made over the years.  I really enjoyed reading your thoughful memories.
 


05/30/23 01:59 PM #7    

John Slater

Thanks for the memories. You must have been a bunch of "Little Rascals"!


05/30/23 08:00 PM #8    

Sondra Kemp (Fresty)

Great tribute

05/31/23 11:32 AM #9    

Martha Dean (Hoegle)

Like Russ, I could write a book about Boyd and classmates.  At 5 and 6 years old we all started our education and special life memories. Janitor did bell to start classes in am and did at 1 pm after noon break.  Day started Room 1 for 1, 2 and 3.  Room 2 for 4, 5, 6, and 7.   We did plays, square dances, did Valentine boxes and was entertained by an ant farm. Parents picked names Boyd and Jay since last name would take time to write on lessons.  Boyd was quiet, talented in sports and considerate of people.  Last time we talked was at Boyds moms funeral.    Enjoy eternity Boyd and forever reunited of loved ones.  2 Corin. 5;8 We are confident, yes well pleased to be absent from body and to be in presence of Lord.     


06/01/23 12:57 PM #10    

Joseph Betters

Boyd was a teamate of mine in baseball. I do not remember him in any of the classes that I was in. What I do remember is that he was a very good pitcher that helped Beaver Falls win the state championship in baseball in our senior year. One day before the playoffs the coach decided to have the first team play the second team. I was on the second team and Boyd was pitching for the first team. It was a bright sunny day. I was due up as the fourth hitter. The track team was out near the right field line watching the game. The three batters in front of me each got hits off of Boyd. I was anxious to bat because I knew I could hit Boyd. As I started to get into the batter's box with the bases loaded, I saw my dad and heard him yell over to me from the stands. Boyd threw a fastball that missed. His next pitch was hit over the fence in left field and onto the tracks for a grandslam homerun. Joe Namath was playing left field. As the ball soared over his head he threw his glove up in the air to try and knock it down to no avail. I heard my dad say "Way to go Joe". 

This was my only interaction with Boyd. He seemed like a very good person and I wish I could have known him better. To his family and close friends, I offer my condolences. 

 


06/02/23 02:44 PM #11    

Carol Stewart (Mitchell)

thanks Russ for writing a special tribute to Boyd and taking us all back to those "good old days"  You brought back so many memories of elementary school in West Mayfield and the summer days of playing all day out doors.  I didin't have much interaction with Boyd in High School but like every one ar the mention of his name I just picutre this really "nice" boy and I pray he is reunited with his wife and daughter for all eternity 


06/02/23 06:21 PM #12    

Russell Greata

 

[Tip Dabrowski, BFHS62, while discussing Boyd with me yesterday, said he’d like to post a comment on our website.  I said that one way we could do that would be for Tip to tell me his thoughts and I could put them together and post them for him under my name.  Thus, the following from Tip.]

Boyd was a natural leader.  Not the rah-rah type who came up with all the ideas and talked everyone into going along.  Instead, Boyd was the quietly observing guy who seemed to have some kind of insight into the world, so that the group would always first check whether Boyd agreed to doing whatever we were about to start doing.  During whatever the activity of a group of more than three, Boyd seemed usually to stand at the back, slightly smiling, occasionally laughing gently or offering a comment.

You might go to his house and ask him, “What do you want to do?”  Boyd would probably reply, “What do you want to do?”  With that settled, you both (or however many) would wander off into the neighborhood to find something to do.  Kick the Can.   Kick the Stick.   “Release! (the captured prisoners)”   King of the Hill.   Red Rover, Red Rover, We Dare Someone to Come Over.    Go to the abandoned quarry down the hill behind Boyd’s house.  Throw stones.  Or, play ball again.

Here is an unusual example of Boyd proactively leading.  At some point in Crab Apple season, Boyd suggested we not waste time finding, cutting, and sharpening our whippy branches into whippy weapons, and just throw the crab apples at each other instead.  Saved a lot of time.

Boyd had common sense and was never mean-spirited or condescending to those who couldn’t do things as well as he could.  He never suggested a group should commit acts of damage to property or acts to humiliate anyone.  Boyd, himself, would engage only in “do no harm” activities [I guess he should have been a doctor].  The most mischief we ever did was to throw unpopped popcorn kernels at windows.  And yet, we had fun.  Go figure.

Through years of friendship, I never heard anyone say a bad word about Boyd, and those years included the gossipy years of grade school.  Pretty amazing for someone who was at the center of so many of our playtime activities.

I really appreciate all those times I had with Boyd.

Tip Dabrowski,  Class of 1962                                        6-2-23


06/11/23 10:04 PM #13    

Janet Belkowski (MacCrindle)

What a nice guy in school, had a secret crush on him. Sorry to hear he passed, Tom's tribunate was beautiful. Condolences to the family.

 


07/13/23 10:28 PM #14    

Judith Abraham

The Tribtes to Boyd are so heartwarming, especially Russel's. I didn't know Boyd, but I do admire his way of beng as described by those who did. There is a saying 'leave no trace.' it's a spiritual, ethical and philosophical way of stepping up without the need for praise. No matter how profound  or minimal the deed is that you do for others ... you do it from the heart with no thought or desire of reward or mention. It seems Boyd possessed that quality at a very young age. His ego did not need praise: he was content to be, share and help his friends and fellow humans. It is a rare character trait to have conquered his ego so early on his journey.  Condolences to family. and all that knew and treasured his friendship.


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