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Dan Pesavento uploaded photo(s)
Monday, April 5, 2021
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Dan Pesavento uploaded photo(s)
Monday, March 29, 2021
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Dan Pesavento uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, March 28, 2021
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The family of Gordon Gillespie uploaded a photo
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
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John, Trish Gillespie and family lit a candle
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
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A wonderful man filled with the Light of Jesus who touched so many hearts.
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John and Trish Gillespie posted a condolence
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Dearest Joan and family, We were saddened by the passing of Uncle Gordie and know how difficult it was for each one of you to say goodbye. He was a wonderful man with an incredible, loving family. He touched so many lives. We were disappointed we couldn't be there for his funeral and to see you all and give you our love and hugs. What hope we have in Jesus to know this really isn't goodbye but more see you later. What a glorious reunion in heaven there will be. We pray that as each moment passes, each day you receive more and more the love and comfort that only Jesus gives us as you rest in Him. Love and hugs from John, Trish and family. <+>< John 14:1-7
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Tim & Maria Bojan posted a condolence
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Coach Gordie was my husband's baseball coach at St. Francis in the late 80's early 90's. Tim has been away from the game for many years but when he looks back, Coach Gordie's name always came up in such a positive light. He has taught so much beyond the game. He was a compassionate man who truly cared about every single person he came in contact with. I think the boys wanted to win more for Gordie than anything else....such an inspiration! He was so well respected and always knew exactly how to gain that trust right off the bat. Thank you Gordie for giving us a piece of you to carry on for a lifetime! We will always keep your family in our thoughts and prayers. BLESSINGS
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Barbara & John Laufenberg posted a condolence
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
We enjoyed having Gordie and Joan as neighbors in Ripon. Gordie's cheerful outlook put joy into every neighborly conversation. We send our love and warm thoughts to the whole Gillespie clan as we all mourn the loss of a great man.
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Friday, March 6, 2015
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In memory of a great coach and a great man.
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Andrew Schilcher lit a candle
Thursday, March 5, 2015
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Goodbye, Gordie. It was a privilege to have had you as a coach, and you won't be forgotten.
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Doug and Rosanne Houle lit a candle
Thursday, March 5, 2015
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Mike, Connie, Michael and Krissy - we send our deepest sympathy for your loss. Cherish the many memories you have, those will get you through the rough days when you pick up the phone to call Dad/Grandpa! Hugs!
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Pauline Mikuska posted a condolence
Thursday, March 5, 2015
It was in the 1980s. I was working as assistant registrar at the College of St. Francis before it became a University. Gordie was teaching a group of athletes on the lower level. His enthusiastic message fired even me and I was inspired by this gifted coack! I will always remember his spirit!!! May his soul rest in peace! We have lost a GREAT HUMAN BEING! I also had the privilege of caring for his grandaughter at our Educare Day Care Center some years back. His son was an echo of his character!! Joseph and I are with all of you in spirit! Love, Pauline & Joe Mikuska
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David J. Parker posted a condolence
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Gordie Gillesie is and was No. 1, regardless of the sport he was coaching. He was inducted into many Halls of Fame, and rightly so. And now, he resides in the ultimate Hall of Fame -- heaven. May he rest in peace at the right hand of the Lord for all eternity. God bless his family.
David J. Parker -- Plainfield.
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Peter W. McKanna posted a condolence
Thursday, March 5, 2015
I was attending my first semester at Joliet West High in 1964, I didn't like the school or the other kids and was very unhappy, someone told my parents they should consider JCH. They did and I meet Father Niles and Coach Gordie on a pre-visit, a very long story short, these two wonderful and caring men most likely saved me from poor decisions that could have been in my future.
I was the first Greek to attend JCH, yet I was accepted by all.
Today, I carry and following the great moral compass Coach instilled in me, I shall never forget what he meant to me, I will always consider him my second Father.
No doubt he will always be with each of us that he touched on this earth.
Pete McKanna, JCH Class of 68
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Carlos Escobar lit a candle
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
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My most sincere condolences.
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Peter M Coorlas lit a candle
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
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The Big Three is down one more.
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Mike and Connie lit a candle
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
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Dad, Thank you for being such a wonderful role model for our family. We are so blessed to be your children. We will treasure our memories with you forever. Love forever and ever!
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Baleigh and Allie lit a candle
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
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Dear Grandpa, We love you so much and miss you! You were the best great-grandpa ever!
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Peggy Boyter posted a condolence
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Coach Gordie Gillespie was a giant in our community. My husband Ron Boyter had the privilege to be on Coach's Joliet Catholic football team 64-67 and can attest to the many statements about Gordie's dedication to the students. Ron went on to emulate Gordie's spirit and had a long coaching career at Sahaurita High School, near Tucson: just one of many people Coach mentored who went on to also work with young athletes. Gordie's impact has been felt by countless thousands and continues even now into third and fourth generations. Blessings and tribute for a life well spent.
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larry and jackie Goggins posted a condolence
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Thinking about Joan and family as we fondly remember Gordie. Our son Dan sure enjoyed his time at St. Francis and so much was due to Gordie's mentoring and leadership. We will keep you in our prayers at this very sad time.
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Lindsey Gorske-Michels lit a candle
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
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Legendary coach & mentor
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Dan Tessiatore lit a candle
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
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My deepest sympathy and condolences to the Gillespie family.
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Shawn Karsten posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
For a long time, I knew Gordie only as a fan. Growing up in Ripon, WI, I can remember watching Gordie manage the dugout at Ripon College through a chain-linked fence. It is safe to say those years watching Gordie in the dugout and Bob on the sidelines at Storzer, sparked a deep love and appreciation for both sports. During my years at Ripon high school, I had the pleasure of starting for Gordie on the football team. Before Gordie took control of the sidelines, Ripon Tiger football was mediocre at best. Within just a few short years of Gordie sporting the orange and black, we had two state titles in the trophy case. While Gordie's football mind and execution can be attributed for these wins, it was the respect the players had for Gordie that won those titles. Gordie was someone you wanted to win for.
As I progressed through my athletic career, the entire Gillespie family had a profound impact on my life. I had the opportunity to play under Bob and alongside Scott on the basketball team at Ripon College. I looked up to Bob my entire life as a coach and as a man. When my father passed away in 2005, and I transferred to Ripon to play for Bob, he was always available to me off the court. It is clear to me that the relationships I have with Bob and Scott is due to the mentoring and guidance they received from Gordie. While I only had a few years with Gordie, I have had a lifetime with Scott and Bob, and I can see the best parts of Gordie shine through the both of them.
I realize that my relationship with Gordie is one that thousands of other players have experienced. This is what is amazing to me -- the fact that Gordie made you feel as though you were the most special person/player that he had ever coached.
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jerry bjick posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Greg, sorry to learn of you Dad passing, I know he was a big part of your life. Jerry the Mailman
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Anonymous posted a condolence
Monday, March 2, 2015
Coach Gordie Gillespie amassed 2,402 victories in four sports, including a highly-successful tenure as head football coach at Joliet Catholic High School from 1959-85. While the coaching legend achieved fame and success in coaching the four sports, it is his record on the baseball diamond for which he will be most remembered, as he retired from St. Francis following the 2011 campaign as the winningest coach in college baseball at any level with 1,893 victories. He held the mark until University of Texas' Augie Garrido surpassed him in 2014.
Gillespie began his college baseball coaching career in 1953 as head coach at Lewis University (then Lewis College), a post he held for 24 years. During his tenure, he directed the Flyers to the NAIA World Series eight times with national championships in each of his last three seasons, beginning in 1974. After finishing 5-9 in Gillespie's debut season, Lewis did not post a losing record for the next 23 years.
Following the 1976 season at Lewis, Gillespie began his first of two tenures as head baseball coach at St. Francis. During that 19-year run under Gillespie, the Saints made eight trips to the NAIA World Series and, in 1993, claimed the national championship - the first in school history in any sport.
Gillespie left St. Francis after a World Series appearance in 1995 and moved to Ripon College, an NCAA Division III school in Wisconsin, where he replaced his oldest son, Bob - who was also Ripon's director of athletics - as the Red Hawks' head coach. He posted a 239-130 record in 10 seasons and led Ripon to the NCAA DIII playoffs in six of his last seven years.
In the spring of 2005, after Gillespie's long-time assistant and his successor at St. Francis, Tony Delgado, announced his retirement, he returned to St. Francis to begin a second stint as the Saints' head coach at the age of 79. During the next six seasons (2006-2011), he guided USF to two Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference championships and one CCAC Tournament title. He also directed the Saints to the Opening Round of the NAIA National Tournament in each of his last two years. Gillespie earned over 1,000 of his 1,893 wins at St. Francis, eclipsing that number during the 2011 campaign.
Gillespie also coached men's basketball for 15 years at Lewis and started the women's basketball program in 1976 at St. Francis. In his 15 years at Lewis, he had just two losing seasons and his inaugural St. Francis women's team posted an 11-7 record.
While he is known nationally for his baseball accomplishments, the Gillespie legend may be even more prominent in Joliet in the sport of football. Despite the fact that he never played the game, Gillespie directed the Hilltoppers of Joliet Catholic High to a 222-54-6 record and five Illinois state championships during a remarkable 27-year run. He may have added even more state titles to his resume but the state playoff system was not put into place until 1974, his 16th year on the Hilltoppers' sideline. In 1991, Gillespie was recognized by the Chicago Tribune as the head coach of the all-time Illinois prep football team.
Gillespie left Joliet Catholic after the 1985 campaign to start the football program at St. Francis. He directed the Saints to winning seasons in each of their first six years and had the school in the NAIA national playoffs in just its second year as a program in 1987.
Overall, in 110 sport seasons over the course of the 59 years, Gillespie compiled a record of 2,402-1,170-8 (.672). In all, his teams failed to record at least a .500 mark on only 10 occasions. In five of those years, he fell just one win short of the break-even point.
Gillespie is a graduate of Chicago's Kelvyn Park High School and DePaul University, where he played basketball for Hall of Fame coach Ray Meyer. He also played college basketball at the University of Illinois and at Great Lakes Naval Center while in the armed services.
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Erin Leinweber Coppernoll posted a condolence
Monday, March 2, 2015
Gordie was my office mate at Ripon College my first year as a collegiate head coach. I learned so much from him in those few months at Ripon and forever remember wise words he gave to me. He was a wonderful man, mentor, and coach. My condolences to his family and friends.
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