Edward P. Gillespie passed away in Stockton, CA on October 29, 2009 at the age of 92. He was born in Owenyo, CA, an old railroad town in the Owens Valley, on May 2, 1917 to James and Mary Ellen Gillespie who had immigrated from Ireland. He grew up in Oakland where he attended Catholic schools and went on to UC Davis. Ed enjoyed playing baseball when he was growing up. He worked as a health inspector and owned a couple of small restaurants before going to work for Carnation Milk Co. In 1946 he was transferred to Stockton where he was the general manager in the Central Valley for Carnation. In 1954 he started Calva Products, a feed manufacturing company, which he built into a leading company in it’s industry. He sold the business in 1980 and remained as a consultant for a number of years. His work was his hobby and he loved spending time trying to develop his business and investments. When he wasn’t working he enjoyed spending time with his family. He loved to fish and fished the Klamath River for sixty years. Ed enjoyed music and particularly liked going to musical shows in San Francisco and the foothills. He was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Kathleen, and his son Bob. Survived by his son Allen of Lincoln, his sister Florence of Lafayette and his grandchildren Gaylene Furgison of Stockton, Lisa (Peter) Sullivan of Palo Alto, Charise Gillespie of Saratoga, David L. Gillespie of Minneapolis, Michael Gillespie of San Francisco, David Gillespie of Lake Tahoe, his great grandchildren, Jeff Furgison (Cheryl), Kristopher Furgison, Zachary Cooper, Nicholas Sullivan, Alec Sullivan, Mikinos Vasquez and 3 great great grandchildren.
Family and friends are invited to attend a graveside funeral service, Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at San Joaquin Catholic Cemetery, Stockton, CA
DeYoung Memorial Chapel, 601 N. California St., Stockton, CA in charge of arrangements. There will be no visitation.