Thomas Arthur Gilleran

July 14, 1941 - August 1, 2016

Thomas Arthur Gilleran, of Hot Springs, went to be with his heavenly Father on Monday, August 1, 2016. Tom was born July 14, 1941 in Woonsocket, Rhode Island to Thomas C. and Nemea Gilleran. He survived a bout of polio at the age of twelve. A former all-state football player at Burrillville High School, Tom served twenty years in the Air Force. After meeting on Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama, Tom married Barbara Hensley on August 20, 1966. An active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, he was a member of Knights of Columbus, and Men of Mary. He worked many years for UPS and Munro & Company. He spent countless mornings fishing on Lake DeGray with his good friends. During retirement, he volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, The Caring Place and Jackson House. He didn’t miss a Fountain Lake football game and ran the clock at Allen Tillery Field. Tom was predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Nemea Gilleran; one sister, Phyllis Lavallee and his son, Paul Christopher Gilleran. He is survived by his wife of almost fifty years, Barbara Gilleran; his brothers-in-law & sister-in-law, Harold “Cactus” Lavallee of Cleveland, Ohio and Ron & Fran Sublette of Hot Springs; two sons and daughters-in-law, Shawn & Michelle Gilleran of Conway and Tommy & Melody Gilleran of Hot Springs; six grandchildren, Seth, Matthew & Nicholas Gilleran of Conway, Sarah & Maddie Gilleran of Hot Springs and Dale (Lauren) Smith-Gilleran of Arkadelphia; one nephew, David Lavallee; two nieces, Susan Brady & Leigh Amick; special friends, Jon & Mary Vitro, Judy Smith, Brad, Kerry, Ben & Reece Turner and Raymond Turmane. The Rosary will be held at 5:30 PM Wednesday August 3rd at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, followed by visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Services will be held at 10:00 AM Thursday August 4th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church led by Father George Sanders and Brother Tim Forrest. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity, The Caring Place or Jackson House.