John James “Butch” McGillis, Jr., 86, of Brockton, passed away on Monday, March 1, 2021 after a period of failing health. Butch was born on May 16, 1934 in Brockton, the son of the late John James McGillis and Viola Yarrigle McGillis, and the husband of Patricia Ann “Sis” (O’Connor) McGillis for 60 years, who survives him. He was the brother of Jean (McGillis) Noone, brother-in-law of Edward Noone, and brother of Patricia Ann McGillis (deceased). Butch was a graduate of Brockton High School, class of 1952, attended Chauncy Hall Prep and Boston University, served as a Corporal in the US Army during the Korean War, and lived in Brockton for nearly his entire life.
Butch and Sis were married in August 1960 and had 6 children, Mike McGillis (and his wife Lisa) of Naples, FL, Paul McGillis (and his wife Marie) of Lakeville, David McGillis (and his fiancé Christine) of Bridgewater, Kathy McGillis Haley (and her husband Kevin) of Shady Side, MD, Jennifer McGillis Johnson (and her husband Tom (deceased) of Middleboro, and Jay McGillis (deceased). Butch had 16 grandchildren whom he loved and adored, Emma McGillis of Park City, UT, Kelsey McGillis of New York, NY, Brianna, Kaylee and Jake McGillis, all of Lakeville, Jay McGillis of Plymouth, Derrick McGillis of Gardner, Tess McGillis of Bridgewater, Jackson McGillis of Bridgewater, Maggie Haley of Boston, MA, TJ, Mac, Charlie, Mollie and Grace Haley, all of Shady Side, MD, and Derek Zakrosky of Middleboro, as well as 26 nieces and nephews.
Prior to his retirement in 2000, he was a long- time employee of Emerson Swan in Randolph, a manufacturers’ representative of plumbing, heating and HVAC equipment, where he worked as a sales engineer. He was a vocal supporter of Boston professional sports teams, Brockton High School athletics, particularly football, basketball and baseball, Boston College football, and any football team coached by Tom Coughlin. He was an avid golfer who played to a single digit handicap most of his life and was a long-time member of Thorny Lea Golf Club in Brockton. He loved spending time with his many friends at Thorny Lea and relished their annual trip to Hilton Head, SC and spending time with his many grandchildren after his golfing days ended due to back issues. Butch’s family meant the world to him and he was immensely proud of his wife, children and grandchildren.
He has been an active supporter and attendee at events benefitting the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund, a foundation formed in memory of his late son, Jay McGillis, that provides financial, emotional and practical support to families dealing with childhood cancer.
Visitation will take place on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 from 3:00PM to 7:00PM at Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont Street, in Brockton, MA. Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at 11:00AM at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 439 West St., Brockton. In following COVID guidelines, masks must be worn, and social distancing observed in the funeral home and the church. There is a maximum of 50 people in the funeral home at any one time. Due to the current COVID restrictions, a memorial service will be held at a later date to fully celebrate Butch’s life. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Butch’s memory be made to the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund (www.tcjayfund.org), the Jay McGillis Memorial Scholarship at Boston College via www.givecampus.com/campaigns/18125/donations/new and enter on the top line “ Jay McGillis ’93 Memorial Scholarship”, or the BHS Sports Foundation (formerly Save our Sports), Brockton High School, c/o Athletic Department, 470 Forest Ave, Brockton, MA 02301, a charity benefitting Brockton High School athletics.
The video below is from the live stream.
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