William Richard “Dick” Gilroy, DDS of Cuba, NY, age 86 passed away Tuesday October 20, 2020 at Harris Hill Nursing Facility, Williamsville, NY as a complication of the Covid-19 virus. Trudy his wife, of 38 years, was at his side when he joined his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Dick was born in Binghamton, NY and grew up in Conklin, NY,
graduating from St Paul’s High School 1951, St Bonaventure University in 1955,
and Georgetown University School of Dentistry in 1959.
He served two years in the US Army Dental Corp at Beaumont
Army Medical Center and then practiced two years in El Paso, TX, before
returning to Olean, NY, where he practiced dentistry for 37 years. After
closing his private practice, he served as the first Chief of the Cuba Memorial
Hospital Dental Clinic for 7 years before retiring. He was a member of the
Eighth District Dental Society, American Dental Society and the American
Federation of Musicians.
Throughout his long career, music and playing piano
professionally, were his main avocations. Starting in high school and
continuing through college, dental school and into his dental practice years,
Dick was able to continue sharing his music, playing out both solo and with
several groups. He was so blessed that
his God-given talent had passed on to his children and grandchildren. In 1995 he released his only recorded album,
“The Nearness of You” a collection of sixteen timeless love songs which
includes, “Trudy’s Song,” which he composed for his wife.
He will be greatly missed by his many friends and musicians
in the Olean and Cuba areas, his wonderful friends on the Moonwink’s crew, and
his furry, always on his lap pals, Higgins and Reilly, whom he loved
dearly.
He is survived by his wife Trudy Gilroy, whom he married on
August 7, 1982 and his dearly loved children Anne Parks, William (Margaret)
Gilroy, Joseph Gilroy, Stephen Gilroy and Christina Malone, all of Olean, NY.
Brenda Gilroy and Martha Patton of Montgomery Village, MD; Cheryl (Scott)
Jacobson, Endicott, NY; Garry Gilroy of Wellsville, NY; Mary Fusco, Jamestown,
NY; Peter Gilroy, Allegany, NY; Meghan (Seth) Hines, St. Cloud, MN; Daniel
(Angela) Gilroy, Rochester, NY; Becky (Brian) Silverberg, Amherst, NY; and Jill
(Chris) Roberts, Rochester, NY; He was
deeply loved by his 39 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren. He is also
survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Dr Francis and Joyce Gilroy,
Binghamton , NY; Patricia (Dennis) Conneen, Bend, Oregon; Jo (David) Dockey,
Black Creek, NY; Nina Vossler, Des Plaines, IL; Nancy (Greg) LaPorta, Fort
Meyer, FL; Bill (Anita) Vossler, Grand Junction, CO; and many nieces and
nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents Francis and Anna Donnelly
Gilroy, his first wife Joyce Guinnip Gilroy, Son-in-Law Mickey Parks, grandsons
Michael Parks Jr, Louis Fusco, Gabriel Gilroy and granddaughter Brittany
Malone.
He will be missed by all who knew him for his unending
talent, loving ways, generous smile and great sense of humor. The family asks
that the next time you hear your favorite song, you remember Doc with a smile.
Due to the Covid-19 virus, funeral and burial services will
be private. A celebration of his life
and the sharing of memories will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Cuba
Council of Churches Food Pantry, c/o Jon Ward, Director, 32 Spring St, Cuba,
NY, 14727; or the Allegany County Dept of Aging, Meals on Wheels, 6085 State
St, Rt. 9, Belmont, NY, 14813.
Arrangements are under direction of the Mark F. Rinker
Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc., 9 Bull St, Cuba, NY 14727.
