It is with deep sorrow and much love that the family of Robert Joseph Gilliard announce his passing on Wednesday February 7th, 2024, at Health Sciences North at the age of 73 years.
Bob was born in Sudbury on Wednesday January 3rd, 1951, to parents Irene and Emile Gilliard. He was the youngest of 6 children. Brother of Lawrence (Huguette) Gilliard, predeceased, Ernest Gilliard predeceased, Wilfred (Faye) Gilliard of Espanola, Gus (Maddy) Gilliard predeceased, and Raymond (Heather) Gilliard predeceased.
In 1976 Bob met the love of his life France and her two young sons, Vincent and Alain Lamarche. With open arms he offered his heart and became a loving father figure to the two young boys. In December of 1979 they completed their family by welcoming their “miracle baby” Brian into this world.
Over the years, Bob was a very dedicated and hardworking man who was employed by Falconbridge for 32 years. Bob needed to always be busy and constantly had extra side jobs on the go from helping family and friends with their school projects and was also the local dog catcher for the town of Onaping Falls.
Bob and Fran decided to make their commitment to each other known through the Church and exchanged wedding vows in their beautiful backyard in Dowling on June 18th, 1988. As time went on the family started to grow with weddings for each of the boys and the births of their 8 grandchildren.
Vincent & Tammy Lamarche, with their children Dexter, Taylor and Kahlen Lamarche along with Alain & Natalie Lamarche and their two daughters Josee and Melanie Lamarche along with Brian & Vanessa Gilliard and their children Chloe, Sarah (predeceased) and Mathew Gilliard will all hold on tight and cherish all the memories they were fortunate enough to create with their father, father-in-law and grandfather over the years. Bob took great pride in his family, and he was definitely their guiding light.
Bob and Fran were interested in real estate and had the opportunity to become owners of a couple of apartment buildings. After several years of taking on the role of being landlords they broadened their horizons and purchased the Laundromat in Chelmsford where they renamed it the Washmart + and opened Gilly’s Grill Chipstand and this soon became one of the town’s favorite places to eat.
In 2012 as the grandchildren started becoming more involved in all kinds of sports, Bob and Fran decided to step back from the busy life of being business owners and spent countless hours at various sports venues cheering on the littles in all of their endeavors. When there were breaks in activities, they also loved to take advantage of the time they had with family by spending time camping, fishing, enjoying family BBQ's and always loved a good game of mini golf or a few laps around the go-cart tracks.
For the past several years Bob has spent lots of time at the Lively Golf course working as a ground's keeper. He loved his time there working on the tractor and sharing stories with his colleagues with whom he considered friends. Bob took such pride in all he accomplished and was always there to lend a helping hand and could always be counted on to lend an ear, offer some advice or be a fishing partner or a movie-going companion.
When looking up into the night sky, perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know that they are happy.
God saw you getting tired, and a cure was not to be
So, he put his arms around you and whispered come to Me.
With tearful eyes we watched you suffer and saw you fade away.
Although we loved you dearly, we couldn’t make you stay.
Your golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands to rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us,
He only takes the BEST
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later time and then he will be laid to rest alongside his granddaughter at the Good Shepherd Cemetery in the spring.