On July 1, 2017, Edward P. Gilleran, Jr., died peacefully at the age of 93, passing on to what he trusted would be his eternal home in heaven with his beloved wife of 65 years, Lois. He was comforted by the presence of and communication with his children and grandchildren. Edward ended his days at Aspen Gardens in the comfort provided by his loving care givers. Ed’s family will be forever grateful to them.
Ed was born in the Bronx, New York City, on November 24, 1923, to Edward P. Gilleran, Sr., and Jane (Rutledge) Gilleran.
Ed joined the Army in 1943. He was shipped with thousands of other soldiers to England, serving as an anti-aircraft gunner on the Queen Mary, which was converted into a troop ship, which zig-zagged across the Atlantic to avoid enemy torpedoes. On D-Day, Ed landed on the Utah Beach in Normandy. Ed survived the battle, and served in a lead battalion crossing the Rhine River and fought in the “Battle of the Bulge”.
Ed held on to an important D-Day map which, upon the urging of his friend, historian Stephen Ambrose, he donated to the D-Day museum.
After the war, Ed attended Fordham University on the G.I. Bill. After graduation, Ed worked for two prominent New York City advertising agencies.
Ed’s wife, Lois Glineski was a Helena girl, visiting cousins in New York City. She and Ed met on a blind date when she was on an outing with her cousins. They continued to date but eventually, Lois had to return to Helena. Ed later told his sons, “I didn’t know where Montana was, but I could not let this girl walk out of my life,” and did what he could to continue their courtship by correspondence.
In 1948, Ed and Lois were married in the Cathedral of St. Helena. Many of Ed’s family drove from New York City, an adventure for young people before the interstate highway system was introduced. A favorite stop, what was to them, the exotic sounding town of Thermopolis, Wyoming. Ed and Lois raised their two boys in New York and later in Houston, Texas. Ed and Lois returned to Helena in 1988 and dearly loved Helena and Montana.
Ed was introduced to the Helena Kiwanis Club by Clark Pyfer where he met many friends. Ed began writing the Kiwanis newsletter, creating something that many people looked forward to reading. Some thought the newsletters contained information about people in Helena that should somehow be preserved.
Ed greatly enjoyed walking his grandchildren to school and rarely missed their Grand Street Theater performances, Little League games and tennis matches. Ed was a humble, kind, witty, generous, optimistic, constantly cheerful and positive gentleman.
Because Ed was a humble man, most people in Helena, who knew Ed, did not know that he was an advertising creative director, working for the legendary David Ogilvy, or that he was an occasional sports writer for the New York Times, or that ESPN would occasionally contact him seeking his memories about college football in the 1930’s, or that he was inducted into Fordham’s Athletic Hall of Fame along with such notables as Coach Vince Lombardi and sportscaster Vin Scully.
Ed is survived by his sister, Mary Lou Cummins, children, Michael Gilleran (Ronda J.), Richard Gilleran (Gail), grandchildren, Emerald Gagnon, Ethan Gilleran, Susan Quigley, Sean Gilleran, Fiona Gilleran, Nicholas Trefry, Sgt. First Class, Adam Trefry, Joseph MacDougall, Jeremiah Parish, and many great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy Roy.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 14th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A vigil will follow at 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. A Funeral Mass will be at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 15th at the Cathedral of St. Helena, 530 N. Ewing St., Helena. Rite of committal will follow mass at Resurrection Cemetery, N. Montana Ave., Helena. A reception will immediately follow the rite of committal at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave., Helena.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday July 14, 2017
Anderson Stevenosn Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Friday July 14, 2017
Anderson Stevenosn Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Saturday July 15, 2017
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
Immediately following the Mass
Saturday July 15, 2017
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana
Reception
Immediately follow rite of the committal
Saturday July 15, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday July 14, 2017
Anderson Stevenosn Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Friday July 14, 2017
Anderson Stevenosn Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Saturday July 15, 2017
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
Immediately following the Mass
Saturday July 15, 2017
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana
Reception
Immediately follow rite of the committal
Saturday July 15, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Connie A Jerome says
Ah, such sad news hearing Ed has passed. I had the honor to know Ed for many years, and he was above ALL else a joyful gentleman. He had such an awesome sense of humor and such a warm and loving smile. His presence on earth will surely be missed, but I can see him with Lois in heaven giving a thumbs up, to let us know “All is Well”. So with sadness and joy, I say until we meet again Ed, ~ To the family of Ed Gilleran whom we love with our whole hearts, Our prayers are with you all during this time. Please let us know if you need anything. Love and Hugs. The Jerome’s
Donna Turcott says
Connie’s description, “joyful gentleman” says it all. Ed was such a devoted grandfather to sweet Emmy. He met her regularly in front of Central School to walk her home. He always had time for a friendly chat. Ed was one of the great ones and leaves us with nice memories! (Mike, you were so good to take him out to listen to music.) My condolences to you, Emmy and your family.
Jan Ryckman says
I didn’t know Ed well but so enjoyed the times I did have around him. His smile lit up the room. When I watched him at Mike and RJ’s wedding last year his expressions of love, joy and being proud were so evident. The photos of Ed and his grandchildren and great grands were so endearing. The love and friendship between Ed and Mike was amazing and will always be a host of memories none other can compare. My prayers and blessings to all of you!
Michael Cavanaugh says
I’m sorry for your loss. It’s always hardest on the one’s left behind. You’re in my prayers and thoughts.
Patricia Cavanaugh says
Richard, I’m so sorry to hear that your dad passed away. I know how much he meant to you. From all the stories I’ve heard about him, he lead an exemplary life. So, I’m sure he is now with your mom, Ethel, and Florian and still looking out for his sons and grandchildren from his new vantage point. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Lee and Beth Leschper says
Your dad was always the coolest, even back when we were in eighth grade! He was always so encouraging to both me and Lee — truly excited to talk ad biz with Lee over the years. We are sad to hear this news, but happy he is once again with your mom.
Jamie Canfield Harwell says
So sorry about your father’s passing, Mike.
I remember him meeting Emmy at Central School. He really was the epitome of a gentleman. So glad you were very close to him and that he had a long good life.
With sympathy and thoughts of you at this time of loss.
Jamie
Twila says
I worked at Aspen Gardens with Ed and he was the sweetest guy I’ve ever met. Always in a good mood, always happy to talk and engage with people. He made my hard days better when I walked through the door and I saw him smiling. I’ll miss Ed, but I know he missed his wife terribly and now that they’re together again makes me happy. Rest easy Ed.
Mary Eckmann says
What a great guy! I have great memories of the many stories Ed shared with me over the years about his life.
I pray that those types of memories will comfort everyone who feels the pain of this loss. With sympathy, Mary
Sherri Staats says
Mike,
I am so sorry for the passing of your wonderful Father. I have fond memories of you bringing him to Touchmark when Father Stu was offering Mass. I know he truly enjoyed those joyous times as did you. I am sure he is enjoying wonderful times with Father Stu. Please remember the wonderful memories of your dad. He is now in the arms of our Blessed Mother. Psalms 23. The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want.
Debi Rapstad says
I am feeling sad for you, Mike, as I know how close you and your dad were. You were always a great son! Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Debbye Ann Ark says
My heart breaks to know that my children will no longer get to see his smiling face …. now he is with gramma Lois and his sister, too. I always said that if I had to shop for a father-in-law, I couldn’t have found a better one than Ed. Hugs to all from Michigan.
John Jordan says
Mike and Rich:
So sorry to hear this. My mind goes back to Cambria Heights and Ed coaching baseball at Colen Field. With my Dad working so much down the piers, Ed was always like a second father to me. So glad I was able to see him and show him some of the old pictures of Cambria on your last trip to NY. I am sure Ed is now with Lois and perhaps has found Denny and Helen to reminisce about the days on 224th Street and watch over and guide all of us in our future years here on earth. My prayers are with you. He led a full and rich life and he was someone who I always looked up to and admired. May God bless him and may he rest in peace.
Kay Johnson says
Mike and family,
So sorry for you all – I know you will miss Ed very much. He was a favorite customer of mine at Montana Book Co. and I always enjoyed visiting with him. He was intelligent and engaged, and always so positive. How blessed you were to have him in your lives.
Kay Johnson
Rev. Richard G. Francesco says
Ed was a joyful presence to me and the weekday Mass community of Saint Mary Catholic Community as we gathered for celebration of the Eucharist on the fifth Fridays of the month at Aspen Gardens. We will all miss him. Prayers for the peaceful repose of his soul, and condolences to all Ed’s family and friends.
Lindell Behlendorf says
My sincere condolences to Mike and the family. I was so fortunate to meet Ed and Lois while visiting my daughter, Erinne, and her family in Helena. They treated my grandchildren like their own, and I will always be grateful to them for their kind, gentle presence in their lives.