Dale M. Gillette's Obituary
Dale M. Gillette, 87, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. He was the youngest of six children born to Ralph and Mildred (Penfield) Gillette on July 13, 1934 in Detroit MI. Dale joined the Navy when he was 18 years old in 1952 and served four years active and four years in the reserves. He traveled around many island nations and was proud of his service on board the USS Edward H. Allen. The highlight of his tour was when the ship was coming into New York Harbor and came across the sinking Andrea Doria, an Italian ocean liner which had over 1700 passengers. All but forty-six passengers were rescued and he and his shipmates were overnight heroes.
Following his time in the service Dale worked as a line man and telephone installer for New Jersey Bell which became AT&T and then Lucent, and retired in 1989 after 30 years. He was installing lines in a new AT&T headquarters in Bedminster New Jersey where he met his beloved wife, Betsy. After his retirement he and Betsy moved to Effort PA. He served as a consultant for Warner Lambert briefly commuting to New Jersey from the Poconos. He joined the Effort Rescue Squad and spent many years volunteering in his community. He and Betsey moved to Grand Rapids, MI where he lived close to some of his family. They bought a camper and traveled across the United States and around Florida looking for their retirement home. They ultimately bought a home in Mid Florida Lakes and settled in to their retirement community. Dale started his own business spray washing homes in the park getting to know his many neighbors. He had a knack for repairing electronic devices and golf carts and was called upon frequently to help his friends get their things in working condition. Dale was an avid golfer and was lucky enough to have gotten a hole in one at Arlington Ridge Golf Club. He was a member of the Mid Florida Lakes Golf Club and served as President for several years. He was also an avid reader and loved fiction and historical non-fiction. Dale became involved with the Early Response Team for Mid Florida Lakes which tapped into some of his skills from his earlier rescue squad days. He loved traveling north in the summers to visit his daughters and grandchildren, escaping some of the Florida heat. His last several years were enjoyed spending time with his partner Paula Bischoff socializing with friends, having coffee in clubhouse, playing pool and enjoying the Friday night fish fry at the Eustis Moose.
Dale is survived by his partner, Paula Bischoff, daughters Deborah (Gillette) Pasquali and her husband Daniel Pasquali, Linda Gillette and her partner Sint Van Solkema, Lisa Ryan and her partner Richard Hines, son Dale Gillette Jr and his wife Jill, grandchildren Nicole, Brittany, Ashley, Melissa, Jamie, Douglas, Cole, Lauren and great grandson Grayson as well as many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his loving wife of 30 years, Elizabeth (Betsy) K Gillette in 2013, brothers George Gillette and Ralph Gillette, sisters Cora (Gillette) Neibor, Carolyn (Gillette) Fredicksen and Patsy (Gillette) Fredicksen.
His Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday July 16 at 11:30 am in the clubhouse at Mid Florida Lakes, Leesburg, FL. His remains will be interred at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL, next to his beloved wife Betsy.
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