Gary Gillan

Gary T. “Bink” Gillan, 71, of Locust Avenue, Amsterdam, NY; died Tuesday afternoon January 22, 2013 at St. Mary’s Healthcare in Amsterdam.

Born in Amsterdam on October 26, 1941, he was a son of the late Frank J. and Marie K. Masten Gillan.

Gary was a 1959 graduate of St. Mary’s Institute in Amsterdam. He also attended Ithaca College for two years.


Gary was a United States Army Veteran serving from 1961 to 1964. After basic training at Fort Dix, NJ, he attended the US Army Information School at Fort Slocum, NY. He was later stationed at Fort Bragg, NC for 14 months and the Public Affairs Division of the US Army Headquarters, Europe (USAEUR), in Heidelberg, Germany, for 16 months.

Gary was always proud to have served his country.

After receiving his honorable discharge from the US Army, Gary moved to Sweden and lived in Europe. He lived in Stockholm, for 25 years. He also lived in London, England for 1 year. While in Europe, Gary worked on various freelance assignments for the US Government over a period 13-14 years. Gary owned and operated his owned translation company in Sweden for many years before returning to Amsterdam in 1989, where he also owned and operated his own translation and corporate information business.

Gary was a member of the John J. Wyszomirski American Legion Post 701 in Amsterdam.

After returning to Amsterdam, Gary owned and operated B & G Bar Golf at the Amsterdam Municipal Golf Course in partnership with the late Bob Baia and his wife, Jeannie from 1989 to 1993, and the former Alban Hills Golf Course Clubhouse in Johnstown in 1994, with the same partners.

Gary is survived by two sons, Anders Gary Gillan and Daniel Patrick Gillan both of Stockholm, Sweden, grandchildren, Oscar, Julia, Olivia and Lucas also of Stockholm, one sister, Sheila Scheckton of Amsterdam, one brother, Joe Gillan of Hendersonville, NC. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Gary was also predeceased by a sister, Mary Elizabeth “Dolly” (Gillan) McKenna.

It was Gary’s wishes that there be no calling hours.

A service with full military honors will be held Monday January 28 at 10:00 a.m. at the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, NY.

Those wishing to attend the service should meet at the Riley Mortuary, Inc. 110 Division Street, Amsterdam, NY by 8:45 to follow in procession to the cemetery.

Memorial gifts in Gary’s name may be made to Community Hospice of Amsterdam, 246 Manny’s Corners road, Amsterdam, NY 12010 or to COPD Foundation, 2937 SW. 27th Avenue, Suite 302, Miami, FL. 33133