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[ In Memoriam ]

James F. Gillen Ryan (Jennifer) Carlson, Rachel Carlson, Jennifer (Brandon) Jenkins,
1927 – 2024 Stephanie (Charles) Voorhees, Jacob (Cassi) Gillen, Lindsay (Nate)
Redden, Zachary (Meghan) Condidorio, Chad (Melly) Condidorio,
Age 96, of Warsaw, passed away on February 5, Reilly (Ben) Schwenebraten; fifteen great grandchildren; many nieces
2024 at Mercy Hospital in Buffalo following a and nephews; dear friend, Sharon Geraci of Warsaw.
brief illness.
Calling hours were held February 9th at Robinson And Hackemer
He was born February 13, 1927 in Warsaw, son Funeral Home. Jim’s Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday,
of the late Joseph and Ethel Herington Gillen. Jim was a graduate February 10th at St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church. Burial
of Warsaw High School Class of 1944 and graduated from the New followed with military honors at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Warsaw.
York Institute of Applied Arts & Sciences at Buffalo, NY in 1949. He Memorials may be made to the Friends of the Warsaw Public Library,
was a proud veteran of World War II, having served in the US Navy 130 N. Main St., Warsaw, NY 14569 or the Charlotte House, 4316
from 1944-46. On February 3rd, 1951 Jim married the love of his life Route 98, North Java, NY 14113.
Julia Bush. Supporting their family for thirty-three years, Jim owned
and operated Gillen & Wellman Surveyors, retiring in 1990. He was William E. Henning, III
a life member of the Genesee Valley Land Surveyors Association and a 1947 – 2024
member of Surveyors Historical Society.
William Ernest Henning III, “Bill”, of Dagsboro
One of the most defining characteristics of James Gillen was his civic DE passed away on January 25, 2024. He was
mindedness, he found great importance and pleasure in supporting 76 years old.
the community that he had been born and raised in. Jim was a
member of St. Michael’s Church in Warsaw and served as a trustee of Bill was born on March 17, 1947 to Eleanor and
the church for many years. He was a sixty-five year active member and William E. Henning Jr. in Baltimore, MD. As a longtime resident of
past president of the Warsaw Kiwanis Club. He served for thirty-two Maryland, he attended Dulaney High School, Catonsville Community
years as a member of the Warsaw Town Board. Jim served for many College, Towson University, and the University of Maryland. Bill
years on the Board of Directors for the former Wyoming County loved to teach and share his knowledge throughout his 40+ year career
Bank and the former Genesee County Bank. In recent years, Jim has in all phases of surveying technology. Over 30 of those years were
been an active member of the Friends of the Warsaw Public Library spent with Baltimore County, where Bill retired as a professional land
and was instrumental in many of their fundraising efforts, gathering surveyor. Following his retirement with the county, he held the title
his entire family annually to fundraise and participate in the Kiwanis of Senior Geodesist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Grape Stomp. Administration (NOAA)’s National Geodetic Survey (NGS). During
his time at the NGS he developed guidelines and methodology for real
He was a member of both the Warsaw and Castile Historical Societies. time positioning with state, national, and international organizations.
Jim recently fulfilled one of his life’s goals to author and publish a After spending 7 years at the NGS, he retired and moved to Delaware
book on Wyoming County Gold Star veterans. He was shortly after to enjoy quality days with family.
inducted into the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame for his service
and his lifetime of advocacy for area veterans. Although his career was one to be proud of, Bill’s true joys came
outside of work. Bill was a man of great curiosity and knowledge.
Jim was an avid wrestling fan and was an active supporter of the He possessed a deep faith and immense kindness. His passion for
Warsaw, LeRoy and Attica Central School wrestling programs. He was his hobbies was clear to all - from reading, nature, music, crossword
a great supporter of all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren puzzles, as well as traveling and baseball (go O’s). But he enjoyed
in their many varied pursuits and passions and truly loved nothing nothing more than sharing long conversations with friends and family
more than being able to spoil them all. Jim was an avid storyteller in over a pint at sunset, never missing an opportunity to mix in his
equal parts fiction and non-fiction and although these stories were signature “dad jokes”.
told best in-person they were quite often shared in hand written and
mailed letters. He is survived by Gail Henning of Dagsboro, DE, his beloved wife
of 53 years. Bill and Gail were high school sweethearts, and dearest
He spent a great deal of time in the great outdoors hunting and fishing best friends. He is also survived by his daughter Kathleen Henning
with his sons, berry picking with his wife or simply caring for and and son-in-law Scott Newman of Los Angeles, CA and his daughter
relaxing at his cabin. He also spent many days with his “adopted” Jacquelyn Koch and son-in-law Jonathan Koch of Baltimore, MD. He
Amish family. James F. Gillen truly had a life well lived.
is also survived by his sister Diane Henning Sengstake of Bel Air, MD.
Jim was predeceased by his wife, Julia Bush Gillen; his daughter, A service honoring Bill’s life will be held on Friday, March 8th at
Christine Condidorio, his son, Joseph Gillen and infant son, Michael 10:30 am at Melson’s Funeral Home in Frankford, DE, 43 Thatcher
Gillen; brothers, Joseph (Peggy) Gillen and Daniel “Dick” (Blanche) St, Frankford, DE 19945). Family and friends may begin to call after
Gillen.
9:30 am. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held immediately following
Surviving are his children, Kathleen Carlson of Springville, John the service from 12-3 pm. In lieu of flowers, please honor Bill’s love
(Deborah) Gillen of Warsaw; daughter-in-law, Brenda Gillen of for animals through donations to support Town Cats of Ocean City
Warsaw; son-in-law, Joe Condidorio of LeRoy; his grandchildren, (Ocean City, MD) and Brandywine Valley SPCA (Georgetown, DE).
EMPIRE STATE SURVEYOR / VOL. 60 • NO 2 2024 • MARCH/APRIL 9