James Gavin Gillies

James Gillies, age 66, a former Chestnut Hill resident, died at St Luke’s hospital in Allentown after a brief illness.

Jim grew up on West Meade Street, one of four children of the late Dolores and William Gillies. A 1973 graduate of Our Mother of Consolation grade school, Jim went on to LaSalle High where he earned All-City honors on the LaSalle High football team where he played alongside his brothers Bill and John. He was also an excellent basketball player, following in the footsteps of his father who was a standout player at LaSalle High. While his father was a lieutenant in the Philadelphia fire department, Jim received a commendation medal for bravery from the City of Philadelphia for saving a neighbor from a burning building. 

Jim worked in the construction and building trades all his life however his real passions were exploring wild places and local history. He took pride in Gillies family connections to the great families of Chestnut Hill and was an amateur historian. His great grandfather John Lawson Gillies started a well-known seafood store which lasted for over 70 years on Germantown Avenue (located next to Robertson’s florist).

Jim is survived by his brother Bill (Dallas), brother John (Switzerland) and sister Susan Gillies Ladd (Coatesville) and numerous cousins. Jim was laid to rest alongside his parents in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. A celebration of life is planned in September 2025. You can share condolences with the Gillies family at seegillies@hotmail.com.