BRADFORD BILL GILLIS Bradford Bill Gillis, 62, of Grand Isle and South Hero, Vermont died Sunday June 6, 2010 in the ICU at Fletcher Allen Hospital with family by his side. Brad suffered for three months with complications from interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. Brad faced the disease as he had with many challenges in his life, never willing to give in or give up. Brad had a strong will to live and believed he would survive his health challenges to the end. Brad was born in Torrington, Connecticut on July 15th, 1947. He was the son of the late Francis (Frank) and Elsa Henderson Gillis. The family lived in Torrington, through Brad’s early years later moving to Fairfield, Connecticut and Amsterdam, New York. His grandparents were Francis and Blanche Coolidge Gillis of Petersham, Massachusetts and William and Mary Hennequin Henderson of Torrington, Connecticut. Brad was a high school graduate of Roger Ludlow High School in Fairfield, Connecticut class of 1965 and Fulton Montgomery College in Johnstown New York. For 25 years, Brad ran his own successful business as a recruitment specialist for information technology executives for top fortune five hundred companies nationwide and several businesses abroad. Brad had the gift for gab and humor which served him well over the years in developing long term relationships with hundreds of clients. Nothing pleased Brad more than making a winning match by placing his client in the right job. His ability to recall names, dates and events on the spot from memory never ceased to amaze family, friends and business associates. Brad, who has lived in the Champlain Islands for over twenty years, was well known as a bit of a character, often seen with his beloved dog, Mulligan on his way for muffins to Hero’s Welcome or Wally’s Bagel Shop. He loved living in the islands and rarely felt it necessary to go over the sand bar. Brad loved a good party and good food. As a one time chef, Brad often created delicious food dishes from his own recipes and made terrific Margaritas. Brad’s love of color and flowers was reflected in the amazing tasteful décor he created in his home. Family who survive Brad are his sister Suzanne Gillis of South Hero and her partner Jan Doerler, his brother Kurt Coolidge Gillis and his wife Susan Reiner Gillis of Sandy Hook Connecticut and his niece Elsa Gillis and nephew Harrison Reiner Gillis and his golden retriever, Mulligan. Brad was particularly proud of Elsa’s graduation from Cornell this May and Harrison’s completion of his first year at Colgate. Brad also leaves his cousins Elise (Lisa) Hennequin Peters of Orlando, Florida; Holly Hennequin Ormon of Quincy, Massachusetts; Pamela Hennequin Chamberlain of Azle, Texas; Harry (Chip) Hennequin of Lees Summit, Missouri and Marshall Hennequin of Calais, Maine, and Mary Ann Bragg of Rutland, Massachusetts and Richard Duplessie of Athol, Massachusetts. Brad also leaves his former wife Kristine Rich. The family is grateful to all the nurses in the ICU who so lovingly and skillfully cared for Brad. The family invites all to join them in a remembrance memorial service officiated by the Reverend Roddy O’Neil Cleary, Saturday June 19, 2010 at 11 am at the South Hero Congregational Church on South Street in South Hero, Vermont followed by a gathering with light refreshments. Memorial donations in Brad’s name can be made to Green Mountain Animal Defenders, 349 Roosevelt Highway, Colchester, Vermont 05446. If you wish to send flowers please send to South Hero Congregational Church (Phone 802-372-4962), South Street , South Hero, Vermont 05486 by late Friday afternoon July 18th, 2010.