Black Watch friends:

Regret to report the passing of Neil Gillis on New Year’s Day in Camp Hill Hospital.

Suspect that Neil served with our 1st Battalion but have no information about his service in Korea (it was NOT with 2nd Battalion). He was a long standing member of The Black Watch Association’s Atlantic Branch.
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Neil Robert Theodore Gillis
February 12, 1934 to January 1, 2019

Neil was a son of Bernard and Ina (Peters) Gillis and was born in Pictou. He had sisters, Mary (Emberley), Olive (Fosty), Bernice (Hardy) and a stepsister, Isabel Campbell (Riggs) (deceased). Neil was predeceased by his wife, Margaret Elizabeth (Campbell) Gillis with whom he had children, Robert, Carleton Place, Ont.; Wanda (deceased); Joanne, Arnprior, Ont.; and Kevin, Okotoks, Alta. He was also predeceased by his common-law spouse of 17 years, Fran Gavel, with whom he lived in Lower Sackville until he moved into Camp Hill Veterans' Memorial Building, QEII in December, 2017. Neil is survived by his grandchildren, Stephanie, Richard (Samantha), David (Christine), Diana (Matt), Bob, and Turner Cole, and by his great-grandchildren, Ryan, Emma, Makenna, Abby, Gavin, Carter, Tye, Payton, Phoebe, Noah and Jade. Neil had many nieces, and nephews.
Neil came from humble beginnings and learned the ways of nature and the woods at a very young age. He was living in Pictou on his own when he met an RCMP officer who Neil credited with taking him to the recruiting office and getting him signed up to join the army. Although Neil was not old enough, he was a tall lad with a frame to fit; he had no problem getting in. He said he was always grateful to that Officer for what he called, "setting him on the right path". He was a Corporal, Gunner, and spent his career in the army in many European countries, but most notable was his service in the Korean War. He saw things he could never talk about, but talked about many of the great people he met and places he had been. He rubbed shoulders with royalty, movie stars, athletes and politicians, and was proud to tell you about them. Neil was very proud to be a member of Canada's military, and, as an extension of that, a member of the Black Watch of Canada and the Royal Canadian Legion. Although Neil suffered through many medical issues throughout his life, he was always thankful that he was in control of his mind, and he loved to learn new things. While he did not go to school beyond the 6th grade, he was proud to say that his IQ score when he entered the Army was 159. Neil was always thankful for the medical care over the years, but he was most thankful to the staff at Camp Hill Veterans Memorial Building. They treated him with respect and encouraged him to engage with as many people as possible, especially new arrivals on his floor. Neil was a soft-spoken person and frequently spent time with new residents to make them feel at home and to help them settle in. He loved the staff at Camp Hill, and they loved him. He took part in everything from the food committee meetings to playing bocce. Special thanks go out to the staff at Camp Hill. Thank you. He loved nature and was happy to just drop a line in the water; no matter if he caught anything. He loved to sit and watch the animals and birds; especially his beloved eagles. When you see an eagle, think of Neil. When Neil left the army he enjoyed many years with the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires in the Ottawa area where he lived with his family. He especially enjoyed his work because of all the people he met and got to know over the years. Neil always called Pictou home, and he moved back to New Glasgow in his retirement years. It was there that he met Fran and with whom he spent 17 years in Lower Sackville. Fran's children were as much his family as his own and he will be greatly missed by both families. Cremation has taken place, and a small private family ceremony will be held at a later date to say our last good byes. For Memorial donations, please consider the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society or the Human Body Donation Program, Department of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhous
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With thanks to Eric Journeay for the foregoing.
R. I. P.
NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT