Joseph E. Gillespie

Joseph Edward Gillespie, age 89, a long-time resident of Delmar, New York and Hudson, Florida, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at Windsor Woods Rehab and Healthcare Center in Hudson, Florida. 

Born on April 3, 1935, in Haines Falls, New York, Joe was the son of Joseph and Teresa Gillespie. He was a 1953 graduate of Hunter-Tannersville Central Schools. He excelled in football, basketball, baseball, and golf while in high school. Upon graduation, Joe played professional baseball in the minor leagues for both the Giants and Phillies organizations. He then served in the U.S. Army from January 1955 to January 1957 and received an Honorable Discharge. Joe was a past member of the Haines Falls Fire Department. On May 21, 1958, Joe began what would become a twenty-eight plus year career with the New York State Police. He entered the force as a Trooper and retired on October 20, 1987 as the Executive Deputy Superintendent. Upon his retirement, Joe worked for a period of time as a Time and Attendance Umpire for the State of New York and the Civil Service Employees Association. Joe received an Associate’s Degree from Hudson Valley Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree from the State University of New York, and a Master’s Degree from Goddard College in Vermont. He also attended the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. In 1978, Joe co-authored a book, titled “Modern Police Administration”, with Donald Favreau. Joe enjoyed watching his sons participate in baseball and basketball during their youth, as well as in high school and college. He also enjoyed playing golf with family and friends, and was a member at Tall Timbers, Van Schaick Island Country Club, and Beacon Woods Country Club as well as being a long-time member of the French’s Hollow Fairways golf league. Joe was a club champion several times and had four aces (holes-in-one) during his time on the links. He was a lifelong New York Yankees fan and enjoyed watching the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team. Joe was a long-time communicant at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Delmar, New York and St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Bayonet Point, Florida. 

He is survived by his wife, Susan of sixty-five years, whom he married on January 31, 1959 at St. Anne’s Church in Garden City, New York. Joe is also survived by his sons Steven, Peter, and David (Erika), his grandchildren, Patrick, Matthew and Daniel, his sisters, Carol Gillespie, Judy (Michael) Hylan, and Mary (Susan Murphy) Gillespie, and a niece Michelle (Dogu Celebi) Hylan. Joe was predeceased by his parents, a son, Douglas, a brother Michael, and a sister-in-law, Marion Huxley. 

Funeral services will be on Friday, December 20 at 10 a.m., at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 35 Adams Place, Delmar, New York 12054. Burial will follow at Cavalry Cemetery, 481 US-9W, Glenmont, New York 12077. 

Donations in Joe’s memory can be made to either the Haines Falls Fire Department, 5425 NY-23A, Tannersville, New York 12485 or to the St. Thomas the Apostle School, 42 Adams Place, Delmar, New York 12054.