Bruce James Gillespie

Bruce James "Doc" Gillespie, a long time resident of Middletown, New York died on April 29, 2016 at Hay-Madeira Hospice in Stuart, Florida. He was 84 years of age. The son of the late Archibald "Jack" Gillespie and Geraldine Plechavy, Doc was born in the Bronx in the year 1932. Doc was best known as the owner of Doc's Sunoco from 1965 to 1975 and later worked for the Washingtonville Central School District as a mechanic and bus driver. Doc was an avid Met and Giant fan. Doc loved listening to music, especially Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard. To this day, whenever his children hear their music, memories of Doc come flooding back, and they can almost picture themselves at Doc's Sunoco listening to them on the 8track. He and his wife, Maryann were great dancers who loved to show off their dance moves at family weddings and get togethers. He passed his love of cars down to his son, Randy and would tinker on them whenever he would visit. He was the kind of man who considered all of his friends and neighbors to be family. He loved fishing and in his earlier days would hunt. In his later years, he enjoyed golf in the Florida community where he and his wife spent the winter months. They would return to New York during the summer months. Doc loved animals and would always have a cat on his lap while visiting his daughter's home, where he would frequently make visits to have Sunday dinner and watch football. He loved to collect coins and Hess trucks and was always seen wearing a Korean War Veteran's hat. During their recent stay in Oregon he was able to spend time with his 3 great grand children, including twins born a week before their arrival. Doc will be remembered as a man who loved to tell stories, a kind hearted and generous person who was always willing to lend an hand to those in need. Doc is survived by his loving wife, Maryann Gillespie, at home. He is also survived by his children, Randy Gillespie and his wife, Robin of Canaan, New York; Robert Smith-Gillespie and his wife, Barbara of Eugene, Oregon and his baby girl, Carol Gillespie of Middletown, New York as well as by his 5 grand children, Jesse Smith-Gillespie and his wife, Andrea; Ethan Smith-Gillespie and his wife, Rachel; AubrAC. Smith-Gillespie, all of Eugene, Oregon; Jason Gillespie of Houston, Texas; Rebecca Gillespie of Great Barrington, Massachusetts as well as his 3 great grand children and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2016 between the hours of 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Flynn Funeral & Cremation Memorial Centers, Inc. located at 139 Stage Road, Monroe, New York 10950. Interment will follow at Orange County Veterans Cemetery located at 111 Craigville Road, Goshen, New York 10924. In lieu of flowers, Doc's family would appreciate memorial contributions be made in his name to an animal sanctuary of your choosing or to Hay-Madeira Hospice in Stuart, Florida. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Thomas F. Flynn and the staff of Flynn Funeral & Cremation Memorial Centers, Inc., 139 Stage Road, Monroe, New York. For directions to the funeral home or to offer an online memorial please visit www.flynnfh.com