Leroy O. Gillette, 85

Leroy O. Gillette, 85, of Lancaster, passed away Sunday, August 10, 2008 at the Essa Flory Hospice Center.  Born in Arlington, Virginia, he was the son of the late Leroy Otto and Annetta (Owen) Gillette.  He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.  Leroy was the husband of Jane (Kirk) Gillette with whom he would have celebrated 60 years of marriage on September 18,    2008.

Leroy served as a lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers during WWII, commanding a company that supported the rebuilding efforts in New Guinea, the Philippines and Japan.  After the war, he continued service in the local Army Reserve Unit, retiring as a major in 1964.  Leroy was a graduate of and instructor at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, where he was later recognized as a Distinguished Graduate for his many professional accomplishments.  Leroy worked at Armstrong World Industries for 37 years in a variety of staff positions in industrial engineering, production and quality control.   A recognized leader in the company, he retired in 1984 as the Director of Industrial Engineering.  Throughout his professional career, Roy was active in the American Institute of Industrial Engineers.  In the late 1940’s, he started its Lancaster chapter.  Over the years, he served in leadership positions at all levels of the professional organization, including service as its president and chairman.  After retiring from Armstrong, Roy worked with Harb-Adult to provide short-term housing for low-income residents of Lancaster.  He worked tirelessly to coordinate the renovation of the old King Douglas Hotel.  He then served as Harb-Adult’s president.  Roy represented Harb-Adult when it was recognized at the White House as one of President George H. W. Bush’s Points of Light.  Roy was also an active member of the Lancaster Lions Club, where he spearheaded the club’s garage sales and other major fund-drives to benefit the blind and visually impaired.  He was a member of the Hamilton Club and a member and an officer in the local Military Officers Association. 

As a young adult, Roy was active as a Sunday school teacher and youth leader.  In recent years, he attended Grandview United Methodist Church with his son’s family.

Above all his accomplishments, Roy valued his family. Surviving in addition to his wife Jane are three sons; Kirk Gillette, husband of Dianne of St. Charles, Illinois, and their children, Matt and his wife Amanda, and Courtney and her daughter Kendra;   Thomas Gillette, husband of Margarete of Earlysville, Virginia, and their children Jason, Ellie and her husband, Haden, and Joshua; Bill Gillette, husband of Janice, of Lancaster, and their children Hilary, Michelle and Stephen; and daughter Barbara Jennings, wife of Rudy, of Roanoke, Virginia, and their children Curtis, Jane and John.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Lancaster County 685 Good Drive, Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604 or Alzheimer’s Association 3544 N. Progress Ave., Suite 205, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9638.

A Memorial Service will be held August 23, 2008 at Grandview United Methodist Church 888 Pleasure Rd, Lancaster 17601 at 11 a.m. Friends will be received before the service at the church from 10-11a.m. Interment will be private. Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home and Chapel are in charge of arrangements. To send an online condolence or for more information please visit www.snyderfuneralhome.com