Robert Gilroy

Robert Gilroy was known for putting the needs of others before his own. His generous heart led him to help without a second thought and to find something good to say about anyone, no matter the situation. Bob didn’t care about recognition or praise; he was just pleased with doing his best and working hard. He absolutely adored his wife and children and had a special place in his heart just for his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

As the United States was celebrating a time of temporary peace and prosperity between the two world wars, Nelson and Ida Gilroy of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan had a celebration of their own with the birth of their son, Robert, on February 10, 1925. Bob, as he was called, was one of eleven children with three sisters and seven brothers. He and his siblings undoubtedly filled the Gilroy house with much laughter, arguments and memories growing up. Some of Bob’s fondest childhood memories were of sleeping upstairs in the old farmhouse that was heated by a stovepipe. Living out in the farmlands meant that Bob had to walk about a quarter mile to school every day come rain, sun or snow. Along the way, he and his buddies got into their fair share of mischief too – like the day they decided to skip, but unfortunately got caught by the principal. The principal took Bob home to his parents, which resulted in him having to clean out the pigpens.

Bob had dreams of leaving the farm and finding a good job in the city. However, like many young men of the times, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy right after graduating high school in 1944. He proudly served aboard a LCSL #39 Landing Barge during World War II and it was his job to keep the lights and power running at all times. During his tour of duty, Bob was at sea once for 5 months before touching land again, and his ship took part in the invasion of Okinawa on April 1, 1945. Bob returned to the states in May 1946, but had to hitchhike from California to Illinois to get his discharge papers, since there was a transportation strike going on at the time.

It wasn’t long after Bob was back in his hometown of Sault Ste. Marie that he met a lovely young lady named Catherine Charles. A few days after their first introduction, Bob asked Catherine out and they spent their first date dancing the night away. Hopelessly in love, the two were happily married in the Methodist church in Sault Ste. Marie on June 3, 1947. Over the next several years, the couple filled their hearts and home with the joy and laughter of five wonderful children: Dean, Robert, Todd, Linda and Sherry. Bob was a hard worker and excellent provider for his family. In addition to farming, he worked in the Engineering Department of Oldsmobile at GM for 31 years. And if that wasn’t enough, he worked a third job – whatever it took to provide for his family, that is what Bob did.

Bob lost his beloved wife Catherine to cancer on February 21, 1970, after 23 years of marriage. He would find love again though when he met Phyllis Bappert in 1971. They married a year later on April 14, 1972. After Bob retired from GM in 1979, he and Phyllis enjoyed traveling more extensively throughout the U.S., particularly out west, and abroad. The couple also had a home in Mesa, Arizona for 20 years, where they enjoyed escaping to avoid the harsh Michigan winters. While here, the couple liked going to dinner shows or heading to Vegas to try their hand in the casinos. With its awe-inspiring landscapes, Bob liked to take a hike, exploring his beautiful surroundings. Back in Michigan, Bob was a faithful and longtime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns, a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Usher Club. Bob also loved being a doting Grandpa to his 25 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, whom he adored. He attended as many of their sporting events and school activities as he could, always being their #1 fan.

In 2004, Bob underwent open-heart surgery, and was later diagnosed with cancer in 2006. Like everything else in his life, Bob battled this disease head-on and in full force, valiantly giving it his all. As his illness progressed and he became weaker, he would wink at his loved ones to let them know he wanted a kiss. In accordance with his wishes, Bob died at home surrounded by his family on Thursday, April 9, 2009.

In a world often consumed by materialism, Bob stood out as a man who valued his family more than his belongings. He understood commitment and demonstrated that understanding in many ways throughout his life. Bob was a man of his word, and led a life saturated with honesty, integrity and respect. He was the kind of man others looked up to, and an excellent example to those close to him. Bob’s deeds and actions are an inspiration to those that knew and loved him. He will be greatly missed.

Bob is survived by his wife of 36 years, Phyllis; his son: Robert (Deb) Gilroy of Lansing and Todd (Jeanie) Gilroy of St. Johns; daughters, Linda (Tom) Wright and Sherry (Terry) Sehlke, all of St. Johns; step-son, James (Jodi) Bappert of Grand Blanc; step-daughters, Sharon (Jack) Woodhams and Teresa (Tom) Villarreal, all of St. Johns, Kathryn (Ron) Shepard of Swartz Creek and Linda (Dan) Blair of Dimondale; 25 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren; and his brother, Cecil Gilroy of Lansing. Bob was preceded in death by his first wife, Catherine (Charles) Gilroy; a son, Dean Gilroy; sisters, Gladys Flynn, Martha and Ellen Wilson; and brothers, Reginald, Russell, Clarence, Paul, Willard and Edward Gilroy.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, April 13, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns with burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery immediately following. The Rev. Fr. Eoin Murphy officiating. The family will receive friends from 3-5 and 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, and 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, April 12, at Osgood Funeral Home in St. Johns. A Vigil Service will be held at 7 p.m. on Sunday. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Sparrow Hospice. Please visit Bob’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory/thought with his family or sign his online guest book.