Peter J Gillespie

Peter J. Gillespie, 78, of Green Brook, passed away on September 8, 2022 in Somerville, NJ.

Pete was born to Howard and Phyllis Gillespie on August 18, 1944. He grew up in Mountainside, NJ, and attended Arthur L. Johnson Regional High School in Clark.  He married his high school sweetheart, Virginia (Ginny) on November 30, 1963. He worked at Foley Machinery, Inc. in Piscataway for 46 years, retiring in 2009.

In retirement, Pete made a point of keeping busy, whether it be tending to yard work or lending a hand to a friend in need. He also enjoyed settling into a shady spot under the maple tree he planted in front of his home many years ago to read his daily newspapers, a Readers Digest, or the Farmer’s Almanac. He was a familiar face in his neighborhood, and passersby were always met with a warm, friendly greeting. He was known by his family and friends for his sense of humor and quick-wit.

Pete looked forward to Sunday breakfasts with Ginny, often followed by a leisurely drive through the Somerset Hills. He was a familiar face in the neighborhood as he walked to meet his pals at the Washington Deli six days a week for coffee and scratch offs.  Thursday lunches with Larry, his friend of over seventy years, were a time-honored tradition. He was a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees, the New York Giants, and Notre Dame football. He enjoyed a round of golf or practicing his chip shot in the front yard, but especially looked forward to watching golf tournaments on television.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia Horton Gillespie, daughters Lori Ciaccio, Michelle Mackie and her husband Neil, Cara Gillespie and her wife Pam, grandchildren Danny, Christina, Nikole, Breanne, Neil, Olivia, great grandson, Sylas, brother Dave, and his dog (and little sidekick), Jessica.

Pete is preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Phyllis Gillespie, brother Michael Gillespie, and sister Denise Powell. 

Friends may visit the family on Tuesday, September 13 from 2:00-5:00pm at the Sheenan Funeral Home, 233 Dunellen Avenue in Dunellen. All other services will be held privately.

Pete’s family would like to thank the wonderful doctors, nurses and the entire care team at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset for their kind care and compassion at this tremendously difficult time. 

Pete was a supporter of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of these organizations, or The Somerset Health Care Foundation.

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