James M. Gillis

James M. Gillis, a retired police officer and Clerk-Magistrate, died at his home in Hull on Thursday, September 6, 2012. He was 85. Jim was born in Hull and resided in the town his entire life leaving only to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II. His devotion to the town and in particular to the youth of Hull was exemplified by his belief that “Hull kids can do anything” and by his commitment to giving back to his community. As a police officer who rose to the rank of sergeant and served as the first safety officer in the Hull Police Department, Jim’s law enforcement career was marked by common sense and genuine concern for the people he served. His unique brand of policing did not go unnoticed and in recognition of it, he earned the nomination of Governor Edward King to serve as an Assistant Clerk-Magistrate in Hingham District Court and later rose to the serve as the court’s Clerk-Magistrate. Not content to limit his public service to his career, Jim demonstrated his commitment to the community in many ways. From co-founding the Hull Council of the Knights of Columbus to serving as President of both the Hull Historical Society and the Hull Scholarship Fund, Jim’s devotion to the Town of Hull was matched only by those reserved for his faith and his family. Jim was a daily communicant and active parishioner of St. Ann Church for many years. He was a CCD teacher for over 40 years, a Eucharistic minister for 30 years, a member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society and a constant presence in the life of the parish. Much like his professional career, Jim’s service to his faith was also noticed and, in 2010, Sean Cardinal O’Malley presented him with the Cheverus Award for service to the Church. Like many of his generation, Jim was devoted to his faith and his country but reserved his strongest devotion for his family. He was the devoted husband of the late Eileen T. (Costello-Coyne) Gillis, the loving father of James M. Gillis of Weymouth, Patricia Carroll and her husband Dennis of Abington, Jack Gillis and his wife Kathy of Bridgewater, Michael Gillis of Ft. Lauderdale and Maureen Gillis and her husband John Capellupo of Hull, “Grampy” to Meaghan and Emily Carroll, Patrick and Jessica Gillis, Charlotte Gillis, Adam Trott, Diana, Vincent and Christopher Capellupo and the special brother-in-law and dear friend of Patricia Coyne of Hull. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours in St. Mary of the Assumption Parish at St. Ann Church 208 Samoset Ave Hull on Monday from 3:00 – 8:00 PM and a Funeral Mass in the church on Tuesday at 10:00 AM. Burial with military honors will follow in Hull Village Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s memory may be made to the Eileen T. Gillis Scholarship Fund Hingham Institution for Savings 401 Nantasket Ave Hull, MA 02045.