George Gillespie

George Gillespie, Jr., age 98, of Kennett Square, formerly of Wallingford, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2026.

He was the son of the late George and the late Susannah Evans Gillespie of Swarthmore, PA.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Gerda Engstrom, and his newborn son, George.  He was the beloved husband of Maralyn Orbison Gillespie for 64 years; brother of the late Charles Evans Gillespie; brother-in-law of the late Jean Mitchell Gillespie; uncle of Susan Gaudio, Lisa Van Ostenbridge (Dan) and Bill Gillespie (Debbie); great uncle to seven and great-grand uncle to seven. 

He was raised in Swarthmore, graduated from Mercersburg Academy, served 2 years in the US Army during WWII, in Japan, and graduated from Princeton University, BS Civil Engineering,1952.  His career started with the Pennsylvania Railroad, and he worked in sales with H.H. Robertson Co.  He later started his own sub-contracting firm installing metal wall panels.  He was an active member of Swarthmore Presbyterian Church for many decades.  He was an avid golfer and member of Rolling Green Golf Club.  He and Maralyn traveled extensively together visiting 48 states and 44 countries.  He had a lifelong passion for steam locomotives and most things associated with railroads.  He always enjoyed working with his hands and tending to gardens and landscapes.  At Crosslands, where he and Maralyn were residents for 19 years, he was a member of the Nature Conservancy Committee, and he took up woodworking and ran the woodshop.  George was caring and showed kindness to many throughout his life.  He was the family historian.  He loved a good story, an old sweater, and working outside.

Internment will be private.

Contributions in his memory may be made to Friends of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania https://www.rrmuseumpa.org/giving

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