Legislator Details
Image Description:
Joseph A. Gillis portrait from Manual 1959 p.lv
Number of sessions served 3
Gender: Male
Age at election: 38
Vital Records Information:
Birth
Date: 5/7/1921
City: Detroit, MI
County:
Country:
Death
Date: 2/11/1988
City: Detroit, MI
County: Wayne County, MI
Country: US
Type of Burial:
Burial
Date:
City:
County:
Country:
Cemetery:
Marital Information:
married Miriam Charlotte Rueppel, dau. of Fred and Pauline (Potratz) Rueppel, 6/12/1943 in Detroit, MI; children: 4, Michael, Richard, Paul and Maureen; married Virginia Compton Burns; 2 step daughters: Kelly Burns and Martina Bertoni
Number of Children: 3
Background
Religion: Catholic
Military Service: United States Air Force
Occupation: lawyer
Race: Caucasian or White
Education:
attended University of Detroit High School, Spring Hill College and University of Detroit, LL.B. degree
Biographical Sketch:
Son of Joseph A. and Lila (Aman) Gillis.
He was Recorder's court judge in Michigan, 1957-59. He achieved the rank of colonel in the Air Force Reserve. Member of the Royal Air Force Club of Windsor, the Hump Pilots Association; chair of the board of the Attic Theater, member of the Detroit Historical Society and High Commissioner of Stone Skipping at Mackinac Island. Member of American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars; AMVETS; MOWW; Catholic War Veterans; Air Force Association; Reserve Officers Association; Michigan Bar Association; Detroit Bar Association; Aircraft Owners and Pilot Assoication; National Aviation Education Council.
Notable Facts:
Earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for 'hump' flights from the Himalayas to China, and a total of 10 other service medals in his career.
His death ended 49 years of a Judge Joseph Gillis on the Detroit Reorder's Court bench. He had succeeded his father, Joseph Gillis, sr., to this position in January 1967. A brother and nephew were also judges.
Sessions Served:
Committees Served On: Aeronautics, Judiciary , Public Health
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District Description: Ward 22- all that portion lying easterly of a continuous line formed by the center lines of the following streets: beginning at 8 Mile Rd and Greenfield and running along Greenfield, West McNichols and Southfield to Ford Rd.
Reason for Leaving Office: Unknown
End of Term Status: Departed
Committees Served On: Aeronautics, Judiciary , Public Health
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District Description: City of Detroit ward 22-all that portion lying easterly of a continuous line formed by the center lines of the following streets: beginning at 8 Mile Road and Greenfield and running along Greenfield, West McNichols and Southfield to Ford Road
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Committees Served On: Juvenile Corrections, Metropolitan Affairs, Public Health , Tuberculosis Hospitals
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District Description: Ward 22- all that portion lying easterly of a continuous line formed by the center lines of the following streets: beginning at 8 Mile Rd and Greenfield and running along Greenfield, West McNichols and Southfield to Ford Rd
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Notes: Elected April 6, 1959 to fill vacancy caused by Fred Dingman's death.
Bibliography:
1988 SJ p.427, SCR517; MIDeaths 1971-96; SSDI; PolGryd; DFP 2/12/1988 p.5C; MIMarRec 1867-1952, Manual 1963 p. 185;
