John J. Gillern Jr.

John “Jay” Gillern Jr. of Washingtonville passed away on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, at St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital in Cornwall. He was 48.

Son of Caroline Mendonca Gillern and the late John J. Gillern Sr. he was born July 22, 1964, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

John was a security lieutenant at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. He worked at MSKCC for more than 28 years and took great pride in his job. Through the years he developed many special friendships.

His family’s statement reads: “There are many ways to describe John ‘Jay’ Gillern. Mostly he was a loving family man whose true pleasure was spending time with his wife, Jackie of 20 years, his twin daughters Kirsten and Jennifer, his brothers and sisters and extended family and friends. Jay’s personality and character was one that you just couldn’t help loving him. He would walk into a room full of people with his upbeat conversation and many jokes and turn a stranger into a good friend in a matter of minutes. He was extremely sensitive and had a heart to help those in need without looking for any recognition. To his wife, daughters and family he will forever be their world, light and inspiration. We love you, Jay!”

He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline A. Dempsey Gillern, daughters Kirsten Marie and Jennifer Ann Gillern, all of Washingtonville; his mother Caroline Gillern of Old Forge, Pa.; brothers Robert L. Gillern of Honolulu and Michael S. Gillern and his wife Karen of Scranton, Pa.; sisters Roxanne Grizzanti and her husband Michael of Clarks Summit, Pa., and Kimberly Escobar of Massapequa; father-in-law John W. Dempsey of Green Ridge, Pa.; and nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a sister, Robinlynn Powell, and his mother-in-law, Elizabeth M. Dempsey.

Visitation was scheduled to be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 12, at Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Home, 117 Maple Ave., Monroe.

A funeral Mass is scheduled to be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 13, at St. Mary’s Church, 42 Goshen Ave., Washingtonville.

Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Washingtonville.

Memorial contributions may be made to Gift of Life Program, 401 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123.

Funeral arrangements have been by Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Home. For more information, call 845-782-8185 or visit online at www.ssqfuneralhome.com.