Obituary of Maurice Gillespie

Dr. Maurice "Moe" Gillespie died peacefully at his home in Monterey, CA on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at the age of 75. Maurice is survived by his wife of 46 years, Patricia; children, Michael (Ranee) Gillespie of Oakland, CA, David Gillespie of San Ramon, CA, Lynn (Sean) Kragelund of Monterey, CA, James (Katherine) Gillespie of San Francisco, CA, and Catherine (Melissa) Gillespie of San Francisco, CA; siblings, Ellen (Bruce Henry) Gillespie of Pittsfield, MA; and Jeanne (David Pitton) Gillespie of San Jose, CA; and 10 grandchildren. Maurice was born on May 2, 1941 in Somerville, MA to Maurice Sr. and Margaret Gillespie. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1963, then from Tufts University School of Medicine in 1967, and completed his Internship at University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, WA. He then served as a Battalion Surgeon in the U.S. Navy with the 3rd Marine Division in Vietnam where he was awarded the U.S. Bronze Star with Valor and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry in August 1968. While volunteering his time at the 3rd Marine Division Memorial Children's Hospital in Dong Ha, Vietnam, Maurice decided to choose Pediatrics as a career. He married Patricia in 1969 after they both returned from service in Vietnam and the couple then spent two years living in Italy were he was stationed with the U.S. Sixth Fleet. Moe and Pat moved back to the U.S. and settled in Fresno, CA where he did his Pediatric residency at Valley Medical Center. He then joined the Fresno Children's Medical Group where he practiced Pediatric Medicine for the next 40 years; serving for a time as the Chief of Medical Staff at Valley Children's Hospital and working with California Children's Services of Fresno County for 44 years. In 2013, Maurice retired with Patricia to Monterey, CA. He was an active and dedicated member of the San Carlos Cathedral community where he was the Secretary of the Knight's of Columbus, Council 1645. He was a Guide at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a Docent at San Carlos Cathedral Heritage Center Museum, and a volunteer for the Loaves and Fishes Ministry. A A visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, June 28th at 6PM followed by a vigil at 7PM and a Funeral Mass at 9:30AM will be on Wednesday June 29, both at San Carlos Cathedral, 500 Church St., Monterey CA, 93940. Following the Mass there will be a reception in the church hall. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Maurice's extraordinary life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Valley Children's Hospital at 9300 Valley Children's Pl, Madera CA, 93636 or donate online at: donate.valleychildrens.org; or to San Carlos Cathedral Food Pantry, 500 Church St., Monterey, CA. Condolences can be written to the family at www.bermudezfamilyfunerals.com Service Information