Retired Principal Caledon East Public School, retired teacher Orangeville District Secondary School; former organist at Caledon East United Church and Tweedsmuir Presbyterian Church, Orangeville
Peacefully, at Southlake Regional Health Centre, Newmarket, after a short battle with cancer, on Saturday, June 29, 2013, Verral Gillespie of Caledon East, in his 89th year, beloved husband of Mildred Madill in their 60th year of marraige. Loving father of Janine and her husband Charles Nagy, Glenn and his wife Melanie. Cherished grandfather of Brennan, Joel, Lauryn, Arden, Alissa and Taylor. Dear brother of Margaret and Charles Broyden (both deceased), Mary and Kenneth (deceased) Holmes.
The family will receive their friends at the Egan Funeral Home Baxter & Giles Chapel, 273 Broadway, Orangeville (519-941-2630) Thursday afternoon 2 – 4 and evening 7 – 9 o’clock. Funeral service will be held in the chapel on Friday, July 5 at 2 o’clock. Interment Greenwood Cemetery, Orangeville. If desired, memorial donations may be made to Caledon East United Church, 6046 Old Church Road, Caledon East L7C 1H8 or the charity of your choice. Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com
Bob Jackson
It is so difficult to put together words of comfort during such a time of sadness. My wife Carolyn and I can only express our condolences to everyone who knew Verral; a scholar, a musician, a devoted family man, a Mason, a family historian and a nice guy.
Patricia A. Rogers
Please accept my deepest sympathies. I was a student of Mr. Gillespie many years ago at O.D.S.S. and found him to be a good and kind man. I was fortunate to have him as my teacher.
Candy and Bob Early
Verral was a wonderful person to get to know, and a great person to be around. We were lucky to have been friends on so many different levels. We are very sorry for all the family.
Terry P. Densmore
Mr. Gillespie, an icon from my time in Orangeville, & Tweedsmuir Presbyterian Church, a great teacher and role model for us young-people of the time.
Jim & Lynda Jordan
Our deepest sympathy on the passing of Verral a loved, well respected gentleman and musician.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all today and in those to come.
Alex Rodrigues
I only met Verral a few years ago but to me it seems a life time. His sense of humor and his understanding of life itself amazed me together with his sense of appreciation for others and what each one did with their lives. He has left an imprint on my life and I’m sure on others too! We will all miss him. My heart-felt sympathies to Mildred and the rest of the family.
Don & Marilyn Rennick
We are sorry to hear of Verral’s passing. He was my neighbor and friend all my life. He was one of the older boys when I went to S.S.#1 Farmington.
We will all miss Verral.
We were honored to be included in some special events in your lives.
God Bless you Mildred and your family.
Don & Marilyn Rennick
Karen and Mark Balaski
We were very sad to hear of Uncle Verral’s passing. Although we live far away, we were so glad that our boys got to visit you Aunt Mildred, and Uncle Verral several years ago. I spent a lot of time during the holidays at your home as a child, and have such fond memories of much laughter, music and fun. He will be missed greatly and remembered often.
Love Karen, Mark & Family
Sandy Edwards
Please accept my sincere condolences to the Gillespie family.
Mr. Gillespie taught me Grade 10 Geography which I found most enjoyable. He was a lovely man and it was a pleasure to be one of his students.
Carol Kidd
Dear Mildred and Family,
Verral was a dedicated, treasured volunteer with Caledon Meals on Wheels for over 25 year. Verral was also a dear friend and colleague and I will miss his friendship. I will also miss driving by his beautiful gardens, which always brought a smile – he was a lovely, true gentleman.
My deepest condolences. Carol
Jeanne Egan
Dear Mildred
I wish to extend my sincere sympathy after learning of your husbands passing. Both of you were very friendly to me since I came to Bolton I wish you all the best in the future
Jeanne Egan
Roy & Edna Wright
Mildred and family- Sorry to hear of Verral’s passing (Mr .Music Man) I remember the times of hearing him play the piano at the United Church at different occasions. Roy & Edna
Lyle and Debbie Holmes
Mary and family – We were sorry to hear of Verral’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this most difficult time.
Lyle and Debbie
Jin & Ellen Gott
So sorry to hear of Verral’s passing. Verral and Mildred were great friends and we remember many happy times together. Sincere sympathy to Mildred and family. Jim & Ellen
Doreen Thompson
Mildred and your family, it is hard to find the proper words to give justice to Verral who was a friend to everyone. He will be missed in so many fields of his generosity of himself. His music was so appreciated by the residents of Abbeyfield, as he tinkled the ivory for us.Verral will be thought of often as I drive by the house, and yes his beautiful flowers are blooming to day in his honour. Rest in peace Verral
Becky Smith
Dear Mildred:
I was so sorry to hear of Verral’s passing, I would like to send my sincere condolences.
Becky
Marnie and Murray Stewart
We were shocked and saddened to hear of Verral’s passing. From the time we first met in Florida we have enjoyed meeting and of course listening to Verral’s music when ever we were lucky to do so.
We share our condolences and say “thanks for the memories”
Blessings to you Mildred –Marnie and Murray
Madilynn Wade (Hancox)
My sincere condolences to the Gillespie family. Verral was my Grade 7-8 teacher and besides the academic side of teaching, he also taught us to appreciate music and Friday afternoon dance lessons, in the winter. He was well respected and I will miss seeing him at the Caledon East school reunions. R.I.P. Verral
Loueen and Norm Madill
Mildred, we were very sorry to hear of the passing of Verral. You are in our thoughts and prayer.
Lynda Watkins
Prayers for you and your family Glenn. From all of the condolences and comments on Facebook he was a much loved man by many others besides his family. Blessings to you all! Lynda
Gary and Cathy MacDougall
Dear Mildrd and Family
Deepest symapthy to you.
Gary knew Verral from the Peel Lodge.
Caledon Meals on Wheels
Dear Mildred and Family,
Caledon Meals on Wheels would like to send our condolences and prayers during this sad time. We will be forever grateful for Verral’s many years of support and commitment to CMOW and the community.
Graham and Betty Ward
Mildred and family
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. It is 58 years ago in September that Verral and I began teaching at the “old” Caledon East Public School. He was hired as the principal and I came as a bride and also began teaching at the school. On June 21st last month, Graham, Mildred and I had a most pleasant visit with Verral at Headwaters and reminisced of our time at the school. Memories are precious.
Nancy Telfer
I am so so sorry to hear about Verral. I have many good memories of him and his music.
Amanda Boisvenue (Jones)
Mildred and Family,
I am saddened to hear of Verral’s passing. He was at great volunteer at Caledon Meals on Wheels. Please know he is in my thoughts and prayers.
Amanda Boisvenue (Jones)
Jean Proctor & family
Mildred & Family
Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to each of you in the loss of a husband, father and grandfather. Verral’s wonderful music on the piano and organ was appreciated by all who had the opportunity to listen and watch him play. Also his sense of humour and friendliness will be remembered.
.
Barry and Heather Doner
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time.
Larry and Cheryl Soper
Our deepest sympathy. May the memories you have help ease your sorrow.
Larry and Cheryl Soper
Karen, Chris and Amy Hilliard
Dearest Mildred,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. We will always remember Verral’s warm smile, wit, sense of humour and of course his wonderful piano playing. More recently a few of us were blessed to have Verral teach us how to play euchre. He was a great teacher and always gave us encouragement and some good tips.
Harvey & Barbara Rutter
We were deeply saddened to learn of Verral’s passing.He and
Mildred were regulars at our seniors group and his absence will
create a deep void and he will be missed by all.Verral was in every
sense a gentleman and Barbara and I were proud to call him our
Friend.We send our deepest condolences to Mildred and all other
members of the family.
Don Attridge
I taught mathematics at Orangeville DHS in the late 50’s and early 60’s. One of my greatest pleasures was to “lead” the Glee Club at the high school. I put quotations around the word lead because in essence Verral Gillespie made sure that the notes were correct and that certain parts needed assistance. He so much helped me and the members of the choir with his wonderful accompaniment on the piano and his advice. I very much appreciated his quiet and excellent support.
Indeed it is most sad that he has left us but perhaps he’s making lovely music elsewhere.
My sincere condolences to his wife and members of his family.
Mitzi Seli
My thoughts and prayers are with the Gillespie family. I have fond memories of Grade 10 Geography classes taught by Mr. Gillespie. He was truly a great teacher and an inspiration.
Helga D'Arolfi
Dear Mildred,
I am so sorry to hear of Verral’s passing. My sincerest condolences to you and your family.
Helga
CEUC Administrator
dave pounds
Sure going to miss them twinklin’ finger come Robbie Burns Supper a true gentleman who made my singing sound better
love to mildred
dave
Nancy and John Rampley
Dear Mildred and family,
We wish to extend our sympathies to you and your family. We are very sad for your loss . Verral was a wonderful co-worker and a great source of help to us in our early days of teaching. He was always willing to learn new things too as I recall trying to teach him to make grape juice! A wonderful man. He will be missed by many.
Brenda Leighton & Family
We extend to you, Mildred, and your family our warmest sympathies.
Verral will be dearly missed along with all of his wonderful talents.
Brenda Leighton & Family
Tim and Janet Henderson
Dear Mildred
We wish to send you our sincere sympathies , prayers and thoughts in this time of sadness and loss . Verrall was a wonderful and talented man and a great teacher to so many . We would have loved to see you all in person but we live in Houston, Texas now and are unable to attend or be with you at this difficult time . You have 60 years of wonderful memories as husband and wife which is SO rare and a wonderful family that we send our condolences to as well
Love and hugs Tim and Janet XO
Joan and Gord McWilliams
We want to express our sincere sympathy and condolences to you, Mildred and all the family in the loss Verral – loving husband, father and grandfather.
Gord and I have the most wonderful memories of Verral playing piano at our Christmas carol evenings over the years. We will keep the memory of those good times in our hearts and the sound of Verral’s music in our ears.
You are in our thoughts and prayers,
Joan and Gord McWilliams
Dr&Mrs Jim&Grace McBurney
We wish to send to you our deepest sympathies.We have fond musical memories from Verral’s time as our Tweedsmuir Church choir leader and organist.
Frank Nagy
Dear Mildred,
My condolence and deep sympathy goes to you for the loss of your husband.
Sincerely yours
Frank
Norm and Lenore Porter
We are sorry to hear of Verral’s passing. We always considered him a good friend. A fellow teacher at O.D.D.S.
Norm & Lenore
Donna Carson and family
Verral left us with many great memories – good humour, good music, good friends – his was a life well lived! He will be missed…
Mary Archer/Matheson
Mildred and Family:
I am sorry to hear of Verral’s passing, he was the principal at Caledon East public school for the eight years I attended, and then he moved on to Orangeville High where he was my teacher once again. I am blessed to have known Verral and his family. His great humour and wit will be missed. Deepest sympathy to the family.
Bert Nieuwenhuis
Mrs. Gillespie and family
My condolences on the passing of Mr. Gillespie as he was always known to me as high school teacher. He taught me geography which sparked some interesting discussions on creation VS evolution among other things. I am sorry for your loss but trust that your comfort will be found in God .
Eleanor (Bahr) Stringer
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Gilespie’s passing. I’m 56 and still can’t call him by his first name! I think of him often as many of the rocks in my rock wall behind our woodstove are from the most memorable geology class fieldtrip to Bancroft in 1973. I will always remember him as a very patient teacher with a wonderful sense of humour and true belief that we crazy teenagers would “turn out alright”. We shared an interest in the history of an old farmhouse as well. Rest in Peace. I won’t forget you.
Lesley Lamourie
I only knew Verral for a short time but felt an immediate “connection” with him. I feel so blessed to have had the privilege to have met such a wonderful individual. He was so intuitive and sensitive to everything and everyone around him. His sense of humour was precious and helped him deal with his illness in the final days. I am sorry that I did not get to say good bye to him as I was away and not working when he left for Southlake. I will always remember him and appreciate the brief friendship that we had. My sincere condolences to Jan, Mildred and the Gillespie family.
Cheri Cowan
To Mrs. Gillespie and all the Gillespie clan I send our sincerest condolences on the loss of a husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and wonderful Caledon icon – what a loss. Apologies as well for the delayed note as I just recently learned of Verral’s passing. Thank heavens for our memories – thinking of you all .
Diane Landry
I had the privilege of meeting Verral during his stay at Headwaters. I looked forward to our conversations about life and enjoyed his sharp witty sense of humour.
Verral told me he liked anybody who had “a little bit of craziness” in them, and maybe that’s why so many of the staff loved him.
He would often play the chapel organ during the evenings and we would be treated to impromptu recitals.
He was never concerned about his own health, except how much he missed being with Mildred and his concern for her.
A very charming man. My condolences to the Gillespie family.