CLEON ARCHIE GILLILAN PASSES AWAY AFTER TRAGIC ACCIDENT

CLEON A. GILLILAN FLETCHER — Cleon Archie Gillilan, 83 a life long resident of Fletcher, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005 in Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, following a tragic accident in his beloved sugar woods. He was born Aug. 11, 1922, in Fletcher, son of the late George and Effie (Burdick) Gillilan. He attended BFA. Fairfax He married the former Meredith Machia in Milton on Dec. 23, 1950. Cleon was a nationally recognized award-winning sugar maker. As a young man he started working in his family's sugarhouse built in the early 1900's and still operating today producing high quality maple syrup for over four generations. He was committed to his work producing premium maple syrup under the Gillilan Family Maple name. He was the recipient of many Blue Ribbon awards and the prestigious recipient of numerous Best of Show Awards for both national and local maple syrup contests including The North American Maple Syrup Council, Vermont Maple Festival, Franklin County Field Days, Vermont MapleRama, Champlain Valley Fair and The Vermont State Fair in Rutland. Cleon was a dedicated employee of the Leader Evaporator Co. of St. Albans where he had the proud pleasure to work for over 22 years with his son Bruce. Having taught all of his grandchildren the art of rummy, it was impossible to miss the tallied score sheets on their kitchen table, few revealing the rare wins over grandpa. His answer to the question “Grandpa, wanna play cards?“ was always a loving yes. He was a wonderful dedicated husband, father, grandfather and friend, and will be greatly missed by all of those who had the true pleasure to know and love him. He is survived by his loving wife Meredith (Machia) Gillilan of Fletcher; his daughter Pamela Perkins and husband Bob of Amherst, N.Y.; His son Bruce Gillilan and wife Mary Jo of Fletcher; a sister Marion Spaulding of Fletcher; eight grandchildren, Jamie Cota, Stephanie Kirk & husband Brian, Rob Perkins and wife Mana'o, Jennifer Perkins, Bradley Gillilan and wife Carey, Brett Gillilan, Bryan Gillilan, Brandy Gillilan; two great-grandchildren, Megan Kirk, Gavin Cleon Gillilan; many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his four brothers, Earl, Roy, David, Walter; and his sister Ethel Snide. Visiting hours will be held Saturday, Aug. 27, from 5-8 p.m., at the A. W. Rich Funeral Home Fairfax Chapel. Funeral services will be held Sunday, Aug. 28, at 2 p.m. in the Binghamville United Church, Fletcher, with the Rev. Elizabeth Griffin officiating. Burial will follow in the family lot in the Binghamville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Cleon's memory to Fairfax Rescue, P.O. Box 228 Fairfax, VT 05454. Friends who wish may forward on-line condolences by visiting http://www.awrichfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are by John D. Workman of the A. W. Rich Funeral Home, Fairfax Chapel, 1176 Main St. Fairfax, VT 05454.