Final Salute

We light a candle in remembrance and honor of J. Devitt Gillroy, who entered his eternal reward at the age of 80. He was born to the late Bernard and Marguerite (Devitt) Gillroy in Flushing, New York where he lived to young adulthood. He was a resident of Middletown for forty two years.

A staunch patriot, Dev served our country during the Vietnam War in the United States Navy. Here his constructive and engineering talents were rendered in the Seabee Mobile Construction Battalion MCB8. A strong supporter of this brotherhood and naval unit, Dev maintained interest and friendship from those days gone by participating in the local United States Navy Seabees Veterans of America Island XI unit.

Dev earned his engineering degree from Pratt Institute in New York City. He worked as a construction manager for Torcon in Red Bank for many years. The ultimate tinkerer, he was a “jack of all trades”. No construction puzzle or problem was too big a challenge. He enjoyed leather work and restoring cars.

A student of Irish culture and history, Dev transversed Ireland many times. Whether exploring other countries or states, he was equally at home at Ship Ahoy Beach Club.

But more than anything else, Dev’s most precious time was spent with his family and friends. A man of kindness and compassion, he stood with bravery during his recent medical struggles.

His spirit and love lives on through his wife of forty-seven years, Laura (Carroll) Gillroy, his son, Devitt and wife Erin, and his grandchildren, Alana, Maeve, and Brady…his three blessings.

Devitt was also predeceased by his sister, Marguerite Gillroy.

A wake will be held at The John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Avenue, Red Bank, NJ 07701 on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 from 4-8 PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. James RC Church in Red Bank on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 11:30 AM with interment to follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Middletown.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Devitt’s name to:

Alzheimer’s New Jersey Attn: Development Dept. 425 Eagle Rock Avenue #203 Roseland N J 07068 and/or Red Bank Catholic High School 112 Broad Street Red Bank, NJ 07701.

Please visit Devitt’s memorial website at www.johnedayfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to J. Devitt Gillroy’s family, please visit our floral store.