Arthur Gillespie

Although he accomplished so much of which to be proud, Arthur Gillespie, Jr. was a humble man whose greatest mission in life was to touch the lives of those around him in a significant way. He taught us and inspired us, but most of all he loved us without any strings attached while expecting nothing in return. Art was a man of great character who stood strong when it came to the things he believed in, and his endless energy provides us all with much to aspire for. He was actively involved in “his town” and served others in his church as often as he could. Life will never be the same without Art here, but the lives of many will be forever changed because of his love.

The 1920s were a time unlike any other in American history as WWI left us recognized as a world leader and innovation was taking us places we had never been. People enjoyed motion pictures in both color and sound for the first time while greats like Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb commanded baseball fields all across our great land. Nestled within this colorful time was a year that brought great joy to one couple from Ann Arbor, Michigan, as they were pleased to announce the birth of their healthy baby boy on December 11, 1926. Arthur Vernon was the older of two boys born to his parents, Arthur V. and Rhea G. (Seybold) Gillespie, and was raised in the family home alongside his younger brother, Ed. His father was a commercial artist who owned and operated Gillespie Signs while his mother managed the office at Goodyears, Ann Arbor’s largest department store. Although times were hard for the Gillespie family during the Great Depression of the 1930s, both Art and his brother were never without life’s basic necessities.

As a young boy Art followed in his father’s footsteps as a gifted athlete. He began participating in competitive sports in the third grade, winning junior events in YMCA swimming and city recreation department speed skating and hockey. Art continued his success in sports during competitive games at annual summer camps. He attended local schools including Ann Arbor High School where he lettered each year in varsity swimming and football. Art captained the football team of 1943 when they won the state class A championship with an undefeated season. During this year he was also awarded with all-state honors as a fullback, served as vice president of his class, and became an Eagle Scout. During his high school years Art additionally worked as a care taker at the home of Fielding Yost. This close association with the famous Michigan football coach later influenced Art’s own coaching ambitions.

With a desire to serve his country, Art enlisted in the United States Navy’s V-5 Officers Training Program in late 1943. The Navy assigned him to Western Michigan University for training, and while there he lettered twice in football. Further Navy training sent Art to Northwestern University where he also was on the varsity football and wrestling teams. At the end of WWII he was serving on a battle cruiser based on the West Coast.

After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Art returned to Western Michigan and married his college sweetheart, Dorothy O’Brien. The young newlywed then earned three more football letters and captained the 1948 team. In fact, Art may be the only recipient of five varsity letters in one sport at a major university.

Shortly after he graduated in 1949, Art began working as a teacher for Boyne City High School. He also coached football, basketball, and track until 1951 at which time he transferred to South Haven High School and continued his coaching duties until 1955. Art’s final professional move was to Alpena where he and his family grew, prospered, and loved their chosen town. He coached football, basketball, track and wrestling, and he taught academics at Alpena High School for the next 30 years. Additionally, Art was a M.H.S.A.A. official for football, basketball, track, cross country, swimming, wrestling and gymnastics and was also a board member of this organization from 1975 to 1986. Accompanied by an unwavering spirit of generosity, Art conducted many summer recreational programs with outdoor camps for kids as well as waterfront programs. Through the years he provided numerous fishing trips to Canada for children of all ages, which were often their initial introduction to the wonders of outdoor life. Art’s own children, Jill and Art, were always the apple of his eye as well.

A man who was proud of the community he called home, Art used his talents and passions to inspire others in Alpena. From 1965 to 1969 he was the director of the “Ted Williams Baseball Camp,” becoming a close friend of the future “Hall of Famer. In the 1970s, Art directed golf schools at the Boyne Mountain Resort, and in the 1980s he served as the director of all of the “Golf Digest” schools in the Southeast United States. In recognition of his countless selfless acts, Art received numerous humanitarian and citizenship awards throughout his life. His many trophies, plaques of recognition, hall of fame awards, commendation letters, and “thank you” mementos all attest to his successes in his professional life combined with his devotion to others. As a proud citizen of Alpena, Art took the opportunity to show off “his town” whenever he could.

Art’s heart that beat to serve others also extended to his church home, the First Presbyterian Church. As a matter of fact, one of his favorite phrases was, “How can I help?” Through the years Art served at his church as an elder, president of the men’s club, youth counselor, supporter of the Boy Scout troop, and a valuable member of the building and grounds committee.

When reflecting on the life of Arthur Gillespie, Jr., words such as sincere, straight shooting, and genuine come to mind. However, what we will be his greatest legacy is the way he deeply loved others whether his family, his students, or those in the community he treasured. Art was always there to offer a listening ear to his students in need of an adult’s perspective and cherished his children more than life itself. He will be deeply missed.

Arthur Gillespie died on Wednesday, April 4, 2012. Art’s family includes his children; Jill (Britt) Proctor of Elk River, MN, Arthur (Jean) Gillespie of Alpena, three granddaughters; Erin (Cornell) Joseph of Big Lake, MN, Erica Proctor-Huehn (Jeff Huehn) of Elk River, MN, Danielle Gillespie of Alpena, two great-granddaughters; Ava and Amaya, and his brother, Ed Gillespie of Columbus, OH. Art was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy on November 9, 2008. Art is at McWilliams Funeral Home – Alpena where family and friends will gather on Friday from 4:00-8:00 p.m. and on Saturday, April 7, 2012, from 10:00 until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Steve Hammond officiating. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by VFW Post #2496 at the cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Huron Humane Society or the Alpena Optimist Club. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory.