The Light Is On At A. W. Rich Funeral Home For Ray Gillilan

Raymond H. Gillilan

RAYMOND H. GILLILAN FLETCHER - Raymond Harold Gillilan, 65, passed away in the Vermont Respite House in Williston on Monday, Dec. 22, 2008. He was born in Fletcher, Vt., on April 20, 1943, son of the late Harold and Dorothy (Tinker) Gillilan. He married the former Martha (Rye) Wright on May 21, 1994, in Binghamville Church, Fletcher. In his earlier years Raymond was a dairy farmer. He later became a talented heavy equipment operator retiring in March of this year from the Marcelino Construction Company due to his ill health. Raymond always made himself available to enjoy a game of bingo called in East Fairfield or Jeffersonville or sit in on a good card game of pitch or cribbage with his friends and family. He loved the Vermont outdoors and always looked forward to the quiet times fishing her pristine brooks and streams for a creel of brook trout. But most of all Raymond loved deer hunting never missing a traditional Vermont deer season and his annual trek on the "Pinnacle" in Fletcher searching for that elusive buck. Raymond was an accomplished hunter and fulfilled his life dream of two successful deer hunting trips to Saskatchewan, Canada in 2005 and 2007. "Papa Raymond," as his grandchildren affectionately called him, was all about deer hunting and with the help of his family he realized his ultimate hunting wish of visiting the "Pinnacle" one final time on Nov. 17, of this year paying his last respects to the woods he knew so well, proudly bagging the last buck of his lifetime. He was a great husband, father, grandfather and friend and will be greatly missed by all of those who had the true benefit to know and love him. He is survived by his wife Martha (Rye) Gillilan of Fletcher; his two daughters Ann Marie Ardito of Meriden, Conn., Crystal Lynn Wright of Johnson; his stepson Harold Wright Jr. and wife Lisa of Georgia; his son-in-law Rodney W. Simpson of Hyde Park; two brothers, Archie Gillilan of Fletcher, Ralph Chaplin and wife Kathy of Meriden, Conn.; his sister Mildred Juckett and husband Rod of Waterville; mother and father-in-law Henry and Betty Rye of Bakersfield; a sister-in-law Edna Cole and husband Stanley of Barre; seven grandchildren, Thomas, Nicholas, Samantha and Laurenz of Meriden, Conn., Rodney, Zaccaryah, Ryan of Johnson; four stepgrandchildren, Abigail and Hunter Wright, Emily and Daniel Narsh; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was also predeceased by his sister Rosa Long. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, Dec. 26, 2008, from 6 to 8 p.m., in the A. W. Rich Funeral Home - Fairfax Chapel. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008, at 11 a.m., in A. W. Rich Funeral Home - Fairfax Chapel with the Reverend Ellen Ravelin officiating. Burial will follow in the Binghamville Cemetery, Fletcher. Memorial contributions in Raymond's memory can be made to Vermont Respite House, 99 Allen Brook Lane, Williston, VT 05495 or to Franklin County Home Health and Hospice, 3 Home Health Circle, St. Albans, VT 05478. The family invites you to share your memories and online condolences by visiting Raymond's tribute at www.awrichfuneralhomes.com . Arrangements are by John D. Workman, A. W. Rich Funeral Home - Fairfax Chapel 1176 Main St. Fairfax, VT 05454.