Obituary for Owen P. GIlmore
Owen P. Gilmore died on February 17, 2020 at Crouse Hospital in Syracuse after a brief illness unrelated to his twelve year survivorship of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Owen suffered many rare complications of his leukemia and treatment with extraordinary grace and acceptance.
Owen was born on December 19, 1953 in Troy, New York and spent most of his childhood in Cazenovia and Erieville. He graduated from Cazenovia High School in 1972 and was a member of the 1971 Cazenovia Championship Football team. Owen graduated from LeMoyne College in 1976 and from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill with a Master’s in social work in 1985. Owen worked as a counselor for several agencies before joining Johnny Appleseed Farm, Inc, the furniture business that his parents began. Owen retired from work as a result of disability from leukemia.
Owen remained keenly interested in the world and people around him after disability forced him to reshape his life. He gave up the outdoor cycling he loved and worked intensely and persistently with the help of his friend, Derek Walter, to graduate from a wheelchair to a walker. Owen navigated his neighborhood on his walker and loved to encounter friends and neighbors who equally enjoyed speaking with him. While illness interrupted the traditional arc of career success, his family feels his greatest success was his ability of live happily without bitterness or anger throughout his illnesses and resulting disabilities. His drive to become as independent as possible never slowed. Owen enjoyed years of Syracuse University basketball and listened to an eclectic range of music. He developed a healthy obsession with watches later in life.
Owen is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Catherine Zeik Gilmore; his beloved children, David (Jillian) and Matthew; parents, Owen J. Gilmore and Florence (Finn) Gilmore; brothers, Christopher (Susan Stratton), Daniel (Jeanette Hassin), Gregory, Brian, Shawn (Theo), Mark (Sharon), and Patrick (Erica); in-laws, Carol (Giorgio) Pironi, J.D. Zeik (Carole Perry) and Steven Zeik (Carol); and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, all of whom Owen loved.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, February 21 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Eaton-Tubbs Fayetteville Chapel, 7191 E Genesee St, Fayetteville. A celebration of life will be conducted at the funeral home the following day, Saturday, February 22 from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon. A luncheon will follow.
The family wishes to thank the Crouse Hospital Neuro/ICU team and the Palliative Care team for the wonderful care provided to Owen and the family during his recent illness. The family is most grateful to Dr. Olga Kligerman of CNY Hematology/Oncology Association for her years of exceptional and compassionate care.
Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge of NYC.
Owen was born on December 19, 1953 in Troy, New York and spent most of his childhood in Cazenovia and Erieville. He graduated from Cazenovia High School in 1972 and was a member of the 1971 Cazenovia Championship Football team. Owen graduated from LeMoyne College in 1976 and from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill with a Master’s in social work in 1985. Owen worked as a counselor for several agencies before joining Johnny Appleseed Farm, Inc, the furniture business that his parents began. Owen retired from work as a result of disability from leukemia.
Owen remained keenly interested in the world and people around him after disability forced him to reshape his life. He gave up the outdoor cycling he loved and worked intensely and persistently with the help of his friend, Derek Walter, to graduate from a wheelchair to a walker. Owen navigated his neighborhood on his walker and loved to encounter friends and neighbors who equally enjoyed speaking with him. While illness interrupted the traditional arc of career success, his family feels his greatest success was his ability of live happily without bitterness or anger throughout his illnesses and resulting disabilities. His drive to become as independent as possible never slowed. Owen enjoyed years of Syracuse University basketball and listened to an eclectic range of music. He developed a healthy obsession with watches later in life.
Owen is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Catherine Zeik Gilmore; his beloved children, David (Jillian) and Matthew; parents, Owen J. Gilmore and Florence (Finn) Gilmore; brothers, Christopher (Susan Stratton), Daniel (Jeanette Hassin), Gregory, Brian, Shawn (Theo), Mark (Sharon), and Patrick (Erica); in-laws, Carol (Giorgio) Pironi, J.D. Zeik (Carole Perry) and Steven Zeik (Carol); and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, all of whom Owen loved.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, February 21 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Eaton-Tubbs Fayetteville Chapel, 7191 E Genesee St, Fayetteville. A celebration of life will be conducted at the funeral home the following day, Saturday, February 22 from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon. A luncheon will follow.
The family wishes to thank the Crouse Hospital Neuro/ICU team and the Palliative Care team for the wonderful care provided to Owen and the family during his recent illness. The family is most grateful to Dr. Olga Kligerman of CNY Hematology/Oncology Association for her years of exceptional and compassionate care.
Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge of NYC.