Thomas Michael Gill
Thomas Michael Gill lived in Elmira, Mich., and St. James City. He will be greatly missed by wife, Phyllis; children; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters.
He was born in Toledo, Ohio, on Nov. 22, 1928. He grew up in Maumee Children’s Home, Lucas County, Ohio. Much of his philosophy of life was the result of nine years with 200 brothers and sisters. He graduated from Whitmere High School in Toledo in 1946 where he also coached and refereed nearby junior high basketball. Immediately after graduation he joined the U.S. Navy at age 17 and proudly served from 1946-1948 on the Pine Island Sea Plane Tender Ship that was under Admiral Byrd which explored the North Pole. He graduated from University of Toledo in 1952 with a teaching degree and earned a masters from Michigan State in administration. He taught and coached and was an administrator in Michigan for nearly 40 years.
His first love was “football.” He was quarterback and captain for Whitmere High School and was named all conference. He coached football in Portland 1954-1959. He was the world’s biggest Ohio State Buckeye fan!
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, cutting wood, “farming,” golfing and refereeing. He was devoted to his family and friends, and was always an advocate for children.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Sept. 3, at 11 a.m. from the First United Methodist Church, with the Rev. John Naile officiating. A memorial gathering from the Nelson Funeral Home will take place Friday, Sept. 2, from 3:30-8 p.m., and at the church on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Presbyterian Church of Cape Coral, or to the charity of your choice, through the Nelson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734.
Friends may share condolences online at www.nelsonsfuneralhome.com