Gary Lillis' Family Pays Tribute To A Father, A Husband, A Hero

GREENPORT, NY — Gary Lillis touched countless lives and when he passed away on Feb. 3, the Greenport community mourned a man who will be remembered always for his legacy of kindness.

He was a beloved science and health teacher and baseball coach at Greenport High School who also taught driver's education, who was remembered with love by the scores of students and friends whose lives he touched with his kindness, humor, and caring spirit.

But his most profound impact was on the family he so loved and cherished.

And now his family has shared their memories of the man and father who shaped their lives.

In his obituary, his family wrote that Gary Lillis, 69, was the son of Dan and Rosetta Lillis. Born on April 27, 1947 in Greenport, he attended Greenport High School and was a member of the class of 1965. Gary continued his education at Clemson University where he majored in agricultural education. He graduated from Clemson in 1970 and returned home to begin his career at Greenport High School.

"Gary was very fond of his time spent teaching science and driver's education as well as coaching baseball and softball. He loved the many students that he taught throughout his career. Gary enjoyed reading, baseball, and most of all, Clemson football," his family wrote.

Predeceased by his brothers, Dan and Tom, he is survived by his wife Julie, his son, Gary Jr. of Moore, SC, daughter Rebecca of Greenport, son Daniel of Southold, and his three grandsons.

This week, his family opened their hearts and shared their memories with Patch.

"There was nothing that my father was more dedicated to than his time spent at Greenport High School," said his daughter Rebecca Lillis. "He was a teacher who never gave up on any of his students, a teacher who rarely called in sick, a teacher that greeted all of his peers and students with a smile and a teacher who was generous with his time and knowledge. There are so many things that he has been remembered for in his teaching career — and playing practical jokes was definitely one of them. He really loved making his students laugh by telling them jokes."

His family said their dad was recognized everywhere. "It was a rarity that we could go anywhere without Dad running into a former student. He always took the time to stop and chat and find out what the student had been up to. Dad’s face always lit up with pride, as if he were talking to one of his own children."

Lillis spent more than 30 years teaching at Greenport and more than 30 teaching driver's education between Greenport and Southold Schools; he also spent many years coaching baseball and softball, his family said.

"The Greenport All Class Reunion in the last few years was a highlight for our father," his children wrote. "He talked about that event for weeks after. He was delighted to catch up with so many of his favorite kids all in one place."

Aside from teaching, "Dad’s next true love was for his Clemson Tigers," his family wrote. "After graduating from Clemson in 1970 he spent every year traveling down to South Carolina to watch the Clemson Tigers during football season. After his retirement from teaching, our father bought a second home in Clemson so he could spend more time in the town that was so dear to him. Last month, Dad got one of the best gifts he could have ever gotten from his Clemson Tigers. He watched them win the national playoff game."

After the profound loss of a father, husband and hero, his family said the love of the community has buoyed their broken hearts.

"Over the last week, my family and I read all of the messages left on his Facebook account," Rebecca Lillis wrote. "We found these messages to be extremely comforting during such a difficult time. To all of his former students, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for these kind words and know that our father considered himself more than just a teacher to you."