Beloit, WI – Beloved teacher and volunteer, Louis John Gillespie III “John”, died peacefully in his sleep at home on Tuesday evening, November 12, 2024 after a courageous battle with dementia. He was 84 years old.
John was born in Cambridge, MA on May 16, 1940 and grew up in Massachusetts and New Jersey. He was a graduate of the Teacher’s College of William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey and a master’s graduate student at Clark University, Worcester, MA where he met his wife Susan (nee Bruce) Gillespie.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Susan. They have one son, Mark (Erin nee Smith) of Altoona, WI and two grandchildren, Cassidy Gillespie-Dipinto (Chris Rice) and John Martin Nelson Gillespie. He is preceded in death by his parents, Louis John Gillespie, Jr. and Doris (Herrick) Gillespie.
He began his professional career as a dorm master and teacher at Fay School, Southborough, MA, and then taught at The Rivers School in Weston, MA for over 25 years. He taught the Sciences, including his passion, Geology, and a popular, long-running course for seniors in Cultural Anthropology. An avid outdoorsman and adventurer, he founded the Rivers Outing Club, offering students opportunities to discover and enjoy the wonders of nature and the outdoors. John led that club on many skiing expeditions to Quebec, Austria, Switzerland and on bi-annual trips to New York State’s Adirondak Park and beyond. He even went to China on sabbatical in the early 1980s.
He was an active runner and loved all sports, coaching football, soccer, lacrosse and his beloved cross-country for many years. He received the Rivers School’s Athletic Department Distinguished service Award ‘99. He was also the long-term director of Camp Nonesuch, an ecologically minded alternative summer camp. John was an Adirondack ‘46er, meaning that he had climbed the 46 highest peaks in the Adirondacks, all over 4,000 feet.
John was a dedicated Boy Scout Leader and Scoutmaster of BSA Troop 77 of Hudson, MA, a National Honor Unit. He was a graduate of Scouting’s Wood Badge for adult leaders and was awarded both the Algonquin Council Silver Beaver award and the Silver Arrow award for “Exceptional leadership character and distinguished service”.
John’s Faith was one of the bedrocks of his life. He was a dedicated lay oblate member of the Order of Julian of Norwich in the Episcopal Church. He served several parishes as a warden and/or vestry member and was a talented choral singer, soloing in many church choirs throughout the years. He was an active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Beloit and was a volunteer for Caritas, Family Promise, and Meals on Wheels. He and his wife Susan received the St. Luke’s Episcopal parish appreciation award in 1989. He was also the guy who was always still washing the dishes after everyone else had gone home!
He taught himself to play guitar and enjoyed classical and folk music throughout his life. He was very proud of his Scots heritage and was a member of the McPherson’s of Clan Chattan. John’s great love for all animals, especially his dogs (Loki, Lance, Hershey, Zika, Tilly and Brady) fully illuminated his kind and loving nature. He was a man who loved and taught many, a man of principle and honor and he will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
A Memorial Service for John will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, November 22, 2024 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 212 W. Grand, Beloit, WI. Visitation of Remembrance will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service Friday in the church.
Daley Murphy Wisch & Associates Funeral Home and Crematorium, 2355 Cranston Rd., Beloit, WI, assisted the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers charitable donations can be made in John’s name to Chippewa Valley Wildlife Rehabilitation (www.chippewavalleywildlife.com or on Facebook at “Chippewa Valley Wildlife Rehabilitation”)
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.daleymurphywisch.com.
