1941 – 2017

PORTLAND — Bill Gillis, innovator, leader, visionary for long-term care in Maine, passed away Monday, Jan. 23.

“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.” — Thoreau.

Bill Gillis characterized that thought in so many ways; the colorful way he dressed, the way he wore his long black curls — the way he lived his life — the way he thought outside of the box, the way he saw all of his visions brought forth into shape and form, the way he made a room light up. Everything about him was new and unique — and powerful in its own quiet way. He walked lightly on this Earth, ready to forgive and let others be fallible and imperfect and he let them know they mattered by just loving them, sharing whatever he had with them. He recognized the light in everyone. He took a journey with anyone he was with; full-on, accepting and patient and playful — and funny as …

He traveled the world many times, skied the Alps, swam with dolphins, danced and sang whenever possible, played every sport he could. He brought friends and family to join him at his beloved Pats games: “No charge, just bring the food for tailgating.” He donated to dozens of charities yearly, his favorite being Safe Passage which brings clothes, food, shelter, schools and teachers to the Dump Children of Guatemala.

He was a true pioneer, a fearless warrior and a man of extreme kindness and compassion. He had a singing soul.

It is only fitting and proper that he died at home with his devoted wife and eternal friend, Patty Gillis, as well as his children, grandchildren and loving caregivers while under the care of hospice, a philosophy and movement that Bill had created in Maine 30 years ago and one that he nurtured throughout the majority of his life.

He was born August 12, 1941, in Leominster, Mass., to Rose and Francis Gillis. He joined a jovial family, all singing and living like the true Irish clan they were; that is, until they recently found out that they were Scottish! Bring on the kilts and the bagpipes!

Bill was a hard worker from the age of 12 on, saving every penny from his paper route for a college education. His education included College of the Holy Cross, St. Anselm and Maine School of Art, graduating with degrees in chemistry, business management and photography.

Bill purchased his first nursing home, St. Casmir in Lewiston, with 26 residents and 40 employees. He went on to employ more than 850 people over the next 35 years and to deliver heart-centered care to more than 30,000 residents by building and managing Clover Manor in Auburn, followed by Gorham House, Gorham, Sentry Hill in York and Durgin Pines in Kittery.

Bill Edward Gillis was a true trailblazer in long-term care in Maine:

He initiated and developed the first in-house hospice, the first assisted living, the first intergenerational child day care, first respite care and Bill was the first to create a true continuum of care in one location for the people of Maine.

He helped create the “Remember Me” project, a celebration that honors Maine nursing home residents’ stories and contributions. The residents and their families are recognized, awarded and celebrated at the state capital each year.

He was president of the board of Maine Healthcare Association multiple times and was instrumental in growing the association from a $60,000 to a million-dollar annual budget and played a prominent role representing the long-term care industry in the state of Maine.

His philosophy on caring for the elderly was “spend time with the residents and not in your office.” He was a hands-on administrator in every way. His philosophy on getting things done was, “Ask for forgiveness, not permission.”

He is survived by his wife, Patty; his children, Josh, Corey, Seth and Tara; his bonus daughter, Hannah; his 13 grandchildren, Casey, Mahalia, Pierre, Samuel, Benjamin, Aubrey, Shea, Liam, Jackson, Grace, Graham, Reid and Julianne; as well as one great-grandchild, Lux; and his siblings, Joan Holohan, Susan and Eric Kruman, Bob and Meg Gillis and Marcia Menard and their families, as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his daughter, Darcy; his sister, Nancy; and brother, Don.

Bill loved to have dinner get-togethers, cookouts and lobster bakes (and a lot of them) at his previous home in Pine Point. If you happened to be on the beach that day, you were always invited. It always felt like a celebration; a celebration of life, family, love, knowledge, friends, laughter, and just being happy. Anytime you were around Bill, you could feel his happiness and love emanating off his body and into the room where you couldn’t help but feel the same way. It was an atmosphere of a worry-free, peaceful happiness and just plain fun.

The mission statement for Bill’s innovative long-term care business reflected his life: “We are dedicated to the celebration of life and to live life to the fullest.”

Bill was the proud father to five children and while building his career and legacy, he also provided a lifetime of memories for his children. While running Clover Manor, it was always commonplace to have one of his children visiting residents, working in the preschool or shoveling snow! He taught his kids to have compassion for the elderly and understand what it takes to run a business.

After six years of living graciously with his degenerative disease MSA (multiple system atrophy), he died the way he lived: happy, laughing, a twinkle in his eye. When asked a few days ago if he wanted a drink, Bill said: “I don’t want to meet St. Peter with beer on my breath; first impressions are very important.”

To share memories and condolences with the family, please go to www.athutchins.com.