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Obituary
Robert (“Bob”) Henry Gillette Sr. passed away on July 25, 2024, at age 91. A Marine and Korean war veteran, Bob exhibited the grit and heart of the Corp even through his final days, fighting the inevitable end with every ounce of gumption he could muster, just to spend more time with his beloved family. To those who loved him most he was “dad” and “Papa Honey.” And even after 91 years, no one was ready to say goodbye.
A city boy, Robert was born in Chicago, Illinois, on November 11, 1932, to parents Henry and Alice (Mason) Gillette. Obsessed with baseball, Bob preferred skipping school in favor of hanging out around Wrigley Field in hopes of sneaking a peek of his Cubbies through the gates. The truancy officers had other ideas, however, and dragged him back to school. And a good thing, too, because it was in sixth grade where he would meet classmate and love of his life, Wanda Lee Harris. “I’m gonna marry you one day, Wanda Harris,” the stubborn and determined 12-year-old told her. Over the years he won her over and on May 17, 1952, Bob and Wanda were married.
Prior to his service in Korea, where he manned anti-aircraft artillery, Bob was stationed at Camp Lejeune. He didn’t love talking about what he saw in Korea, but he loved being a Marine and counted it among his best accomplishments. Bob attended Purdue University and became an engineer. He worked at Ford for most of his career, retiring as an area manager at the Woodhaven Stamping Plant. Tough and tenacious, he was a cancer survivor and had cavities filled without any numbing medication. “If it hurts too much, you’ll know...because I’ll punch you,” he jokingly told his horrified dentist. Thankfully, no dentists were ever harmed.
Of course, his greatest accomplishments were his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. A most supportive dad and grandpa, he is survived by his children: Brenda Cadle, Dawn (William) Stewart, Robert Henry Gillette, Jr., and Elise (Terry) Bellestri; grandchildren: Rachelle (Duane) Cousino, Andrea (Matthew) McGrew, Stacy (John) Justice, Brooke (Jay) Philbeck, Ryan (Andrea) Coyne, Melissa (Steven) Koehn, Kristen (Mike) Logsden, William Robert Stewart, Ashley (Jacob) Campbell, Anthony Bellestri, and Jacob Gillette; and great-grandchildren: Brendan Cousino, Cole Cousino, Breanna Cousino, Evan Cousino, Jayda Philbeck, Jasmine Philbeck, Masen McGrew, Bennett McGrew, Sloane McGrew, Max Koehn, Jon Justice, Charlotte Logsden, Lucy Logsden, Kylie Campbell, Karina Coyne, and Liam Coyne. He is also survived by his sister, Clara Young, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents, brother Kenneth, sisters Imogene and Beverly, and son-in-law Douglas Cadle. His greatest reunion will be with his bride of 54 years, Wanda, whom he lived without for 18 long years.
Bob was a lover of Entenmann’s coffee cakes (any sweets, really), coffee, peanuts, turkey dinners, and Lincoln Continentals. And, boy, could he turn a phrase....into something not repeatable in front of young children. Bob was one of a kind – but one of the best kind. He paid mortgage payments for a family whose daughter was fighting cancer. He bought food and toys for kids in need. He used his position to help so many get jobs. It’s said that “a great man is one who leaves others at a loss after he is gone.” Bob Gillette was a great man. And we are at a loss. Oorah, Papa Honey. Semper Fi. We’ll love you forever.
