Jose Manuel Gillis

Jose Manuel Gillis of Union, NJ, passed away on July 6, 2021 at age 90, surrounded by family and loved ones. He was born in Santiago, Cuba on November 11, 1930. He emigrated to the United States with his wife and sons in 1966, settling in Elizabeth, NJ, where he lived for 20 years.

Jose Manuel worked for Johns Manville for many years until his retirement in 1987. He also sold and repaired jewelry. He and his loving wife Maria Luisa moved to Florida soon after, where they lived for 30 years before returning to New Jersey in 2018. He enjoyed spending time with his son and grandchildren as well as traveling, managing to visit countries on five continents as well as most of the United States.

Jose Manuel is survived by his wife of 63 years, Maria Luisa (née Grana) Gillis; his son Joseph M. (Eulalia) Gillis; his brother and sisters Rolando (Mercedes) Gillis, Miriam (Jose Ramon) Soler, and Concepcion (Jorge) Alvarado; and his grandchildren Sarah Gillis, Rachel (Molly) Gillis, and Brad Gillis; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends. He is predeceased by his son Jorge Luis Gillis. Jose Manuel was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend who will be dearly missed by those he loved.

Visitation will be at Higgins and Bonner Funeral Home in Westfield, NJ on Friday, July 9th, from 4 to 8 PM.

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