Obituary of Lewis Chapman Gillett

Lewis Chapman Gillett Jr. age 75 departed this life on Sat. June 23, 2012, surrounded by family. Born in Ayer MA on November 29th 1936 to the late Martha Karner Gillett and Lewis C. Gillett II. Lew graduated from Hopkinton High School in Massachusetts and enlisted in the Navy in 1955. After graduating from NAPS he received a fleet appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, graduating in 1960. He then served aboard the USS Essex as a Gunnery Officer. While anchored outside Karachi Pakistan his eldest daughter, Linda Anne, was born. Lew went to flight school in Pensacola Fl. His second daughter, Donna Marie, arrived the same day he made his first solo carrier landing. Lew received his Navy "Wings of Gold" on a Friday the 13, which has always been a lucky day for him. His next step was to serve as a flight instructor with VT-1 in Pensacola, at which time his son, Lewis Chapman "Kip" Gillett IV arrived. Following his flight instructor tour in Pensacola he was assigned duty with VA-86 as a single seat, single engine, jet attack pilot flying the A4 Skyhawk. Lew flew well over 50 missions over North Vietnam during his tour on the USS Independence on which he was a triple Centurion (over 300 carrier landings). His career with American Airlines began in 1968 while living in Bethel, CT with his wife Anne, where they enjoyed raising kids & Boxer dogs. Lew retired from American Airlines as a Captain after 27 years, he loved flying and travel and enjoyed opening the world to his family. Towards the end of his flight career Lew and Anne relocated to Lebanon, TN in 1988, These empty nesters found their true home in the heart of TN! Lew loved life on the farm; family, friends, animals, tractors, they all filled him with joy! He is survived by Anne, his wife & companion of 54 years. His children, Linda (David) Katz of Westford, MA; Donna (Kevin) Kraebel of Hong Kong and Lew (Lisa) Gillett of Longmont, CO. Lew was the oldest of five children, survived by siblings Jane Hinckley, Judy Keefe, Carol Verschure and Robert Gillett. Lew was a doting Grandfather of seven Nick, Ben, Emma, Abby, Hannah, Drew & Daniel. He was a devoted husband and father and a loyal and trustworthy friend. He was loved by many and will be missed by all. A celebration of his life, concluding with Military Honors will be held on Monday, July 2, 2012 at Sellars Funeral Home, 12:30-2:30. Interment will take place on a later date at a National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please send donations in Lew's memory to Homes for Our Troops: http://www.homesforourtroops.org.