- OBITUARY
Harper Morris Funeral Home
15 Jul 2011
Quigley Gordon Gilmore
(August 14, 1916 - July 13, 2011)
Quigley Gordon Gilmore, 94, devoted and loving husband to Harriet Saunders Gilmore for more than 65 years, died Wednesday, after a short illness. A life-long Pensacola resident, Quigley was the son of Millard Gilmore, whose first wife Agnes Quigley Gilmore died at an early age. Millard founded Gilmore's, selling radios and phonographs on Palafox Street in 1917. Quigley worked in the family business going from installing radio antennae on homes to partnering with his father to expand the business to include Jewelry and Furniture. After Millard Gilmore left active involvement in the business to become one of the first developers of Casablanca in Gulf Breeze, Quigley took over the Gilmore Furniture operation at its new location on Garden St., and was a very successful Pensacola businessman for a number of years before his retirement in 1976. Quigley married Harriet Saunders, the love of his life, in 1936, and for 28 years lived on East Blount Street, in a brick house next door to the turn-of-the-century home of "Mama Saunders" on 9th Avenue -- a Pensacola landmark, now used for law offices. He loved that house, though in 1966, with all the children gone, he and Harriet moved to Gerhardt Drive in Cordova Park, for the convenience of its location and for the two beautiful cedar trees that were in its back yard. Quig loved Pensacola, though he thought it was becoming too much like Atlanta -- much too big. He never met a person he didn't like, and there was no person on earth who didn't like Quig. He was a regular member of the downtown business coffee crowd in the pre-mall years when Palafox was the commercial center of town. As a younger man he loved to sing and was a wonderful dancer and singer, and a lifelong golfer and long-time member of Pensacola Country Club. He was a friendly, humorous, gentle man, and certainly a family man -- more than anything else he loved family and friends. His daughter, Nancy Gilmore Buck said, "There will be a crowd waiting for Dad in Heaven. Everyone who knew Dad, he's never forgotten them and often mentions his old friends. He was the kindest, most gentle man that ever lived and there will never be another like him." He was a devoted Catholic, and though his Catholic mother died when he was a toddler, his father, true to his promise, sent him to St. Michaels as a child. He remained devoted to the Church and no doubt will be happy to talk to God about life's many questions. In a letter written to the family members before his death, he wrote: "Do not grieve. I have had a wonderful life over these years." He wrote that Harriet had been his best friend and lover, and that he was unhappy without her, and looked forward now to see her again and be with her forever. After writing those words in 2002 he had to wait 9 years before rejoining Harriet. We are sorry that Mama had to wait for him so long but we are glad he was with us to brighten our own days. But now we are on our own. Quigley was preceded in death not only by Harriet but also by his grandson Todd Brandon Buck. His survivors include his daughter, Carolyn Gilmore Gehl (John), residents of Canton, GA; Lonnie M. Gilmore (Pamela), of Pensacola; Nancy Gilmore Buck (Steven) of Pensacola. Quigley's grandchildren included Thomas Quigley Gehl (Sarah Beth) of Atlanta; Heather Gilmore Van Dresar (Mark) of Pensacola; Andrew Anthony Gehl (Tiffany) of Canton, GA; Lonnie G. Gilmore of Loveland, CO; Mark Christopher Buck (Danielle) of Pensacola; and Adam Gilmore Buck (Keri) of Pensacola. Quigley had ten great-grandchildren, Megan Van Dresar, Austin Bobe, Mason and Kaitlyn Buck of Pensacola, John Owen Gehl, Lydia Caitlin Gehl, James Alexander and Matthew Gehl of Canton, GA, and Nolan and Amelia Buck of Pensacola. Visitation will be held 2-4pm Sunday, July 17, 2011 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel. Graveside Service will be held 10:00am Monday, July 18, 2011 at Holy Cross Cemetery Mausoleum with Deacon Gene Pallone officiating. He requested that no flowers be sent on the occasion of his death. Instead he hoped that you would consider making a donation to the St. Joseph's Catholic Church Soup Kitchen, 140 W Government St. 32502, or to the charity of your choice. Or you could honor him by doing what was suggested by the writer H.L. Mencken in a suggested inscription for his own tombstone: "If, after I depart this vale, you ever remember me and have thought to please my ghost, forgive some sinner and wink your eye at some homely girl." Written by Mr. Gilmore in 2002 to his family, "Do not grieve. I have had a wonderful life over these years. Your mother and I were together over 65 years. She was my best friend and lover and I am unhappy without her. She tried always to please me. God blessed us with three of the finest children anyone ever had. They showed us love, respect, and happiness. I love you very much. God also blessed Mom and I with seven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. These children showed us great respect and love. I have two sons-in-laws and a daughter-in-law and they are the best. I could not have hand-picked better ones. They showed Mother and I great kindness and love. So don't grieve over me because I expect to be with Mother forever and I'll be happy again." --- Love one another always, Dad. HARPER-MORRIS MEMORIAL CHAPEL is in charge of arrangements.
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