Jeffrey Edwin Gillard, age 76, passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, on May 12, 2025 at Strong Memorial Hospital.
Born in his beloved Batavia, on January 18, 1949 to the late E. John and Nadine (Shanahan) Gillard.
Jeff graduated from Batavia High School and soon after joined the US Army on August 19, 1968, later serving in Vietnam. He married Donna Sputore on August 15, 2004. Jeff was known by all as a multi-talented self-employed tradesman that rarely passed on a project or a social event. He was a proud veteran that loved being active in his community, only slowing down slightly in recent years to semi-retire and enjoy Florida winters and frequent visits with his grandchildren.
Jack of all trades is the perfect way to describe Jeff. He was everyone’s handyman. A snowbird in his later years, Jeff enjoyed Florida winters with Donna as they walked in the sunshine, watched rocket launches, fished and spent time with both new and old friends. He enjoyed traveling, photography, reading nonfiction, tinkering in the garage, tending to the yard and flowers, NASCAR, the Dallas Cowboys, his coffee groups and spending time with his many friends and family. He never missed a major event for his son or grandchildren. Known for his active lifestyle and always helping others, Jeff relished giving back to his community. He volunteered at Crossroads House and Genesee Cancer Assistance and was on the zoning board of appeals and the Holland Land Office Board.
Jeff is survived by his loving wife Donna (Sputore) Gillard; son, Geoffrey (Keri) Roche; grandchildren, Ethan and Lucas Roche; siblings, Craig (Sandra) Gillard and Susan (Late Tom) Metz; brother in law Paul (Mary) Sputore, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A visitation for Jeff will be from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm Sunday, May 18, 2025 at H.E. Turner & Co., Inc. Funeral Home, 403 East Main Street, Batavia. Friends and family are invited to meet the family at H.E. Turner & Co., Inc. Funeral Home on Monday, May 19, 2025 at 1:00pm for a procession to Western New York Veterans Cemetery, Pembroke, New York for interment service and military honors. A gathering at Ascension Parish Hall, 17 Sumner Street, Batavia, New York will immediately follow the internment.
In Lieu of Flowers, donations may be made in Jeffrey’s memory to: Crossroads House, 11 Liberty Street, Batavia, NY 14020 or Genesee Cancer Assistance, 127 North Street, Batavia, NY14020.
To leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle in his memory, please visit www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.
