The wake for Father Thomas C. Gilles will begin with vespers at 3 p.m. Oct. 7 at Regina Health Center, 5232 Broadview Road, Richfield. Bishop Edward Malesic will be the presider with Father Dan Fickes, chaplain for UH St. John Medical Center as homilies. The wake will continue until 5 p.m.
Bishop Martin Amos, retired bishop of Davenport, Iowa, will celebrate the funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Oct. 8 in St. John Bosco Church, 6480 Pearl Road, Parma Heights. Father Bob Sanson will be the homilist.
Father Gilles, 80, died Sept. 29.
He was born on Oct. 28, 1941 to the late Clarence and Marie (Geiger) Gilles. Father Gilles was educated at Incarnate Word Academy, Parma Heights; Assumption School, Brook Park; Saint Ignatius High School, Cleveland; Borromeo Seminary, Wickliffe and Saint Mary Seminary, Cleveland.
Bishop Clarence Issenmann ordained him to the priesthood for service to the Diocese of Cleveland on May 20, 1967.
Father Gilles’ first assignment after ordination was as parochial vicar of St. Matthew Parish, Akron. He was transferred on June 28, 1972 to serve as parochial vicar of Holy Trinity Parish, Bedford Heights. On July 1, 1977, Father Gilles was appointed parochial vicar of St. Brendan Parish, North Olmsted. He served as co-chaplain at St. Vincent Charity Hospital effective June 30, 1982. Father Gilles served as a member of the pastoral team at St. Mary Magdalene Parish, Willowick, effective June 1, 1987. On Oct. 1 1989, he was appointed parochial vicar of St. Margaret Mary Parish, South Euclid.
On Nov. 18, 1992, Father Gilles was named pastor of St. Mary Parish, Chardon, where he served until his retirement on Oct. 31, 2011.
In his retirement, Father Gilles continued to minister to the sick and suffering at Regina Health Center.
Those who knew him said he loved ministering to the people entrusted to his care. He will be remember for his kindness and gentle pastoral care.
Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Brook Park.