Russell A. Gillespie, age 89 of Hetlerville passed away on Wednesday May 21, 2025, at home, surrounded by his family.
Born in Philadelphia on May 2, 1936, he was the son of the late Russell Gillespie and Margaret (Lydon) Roulou. He attended Northeast Public Philadelphia Schools. He served in the US Navy from 1954-1958 on the USS Sea Lion and USS Grampus. After an honorable discharge, he was employed at Penn Fruit Company in Philadelphia and New Jersey areas. Later, he went to work on tugboats, which is where he got his nickname “Tuggy”, in Philadelphia and the New York Delaware Harbor. He was a member of the maritime union. After moving to the area, he opened Hill Top Inn in Mifflinville, which later became Tuggy’s. He also owned Super 8 Motel in Mifflinville from 1988 to 2004.
He recently attended LCBC Church and was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, Nescopeck. He was a life member of the Berwick VFW Post 821 since 1986 and was a member of Washington Lodge 265, Bloomsburg. Tuggy was a talented golfer. Upon retirement he acquired his boat and started deep sea fishing in Florida.
He will be greatly missed by his wife of 69 years, Dawn G. (Campbell) Gillespie; daughters, Debra Hill and husband James, Hetlerville; Kelly Sassaman and husband Joseph, Hetlerville; Karen Malakoskie and husband Dennis, Florida; and grandchildren, Brian Hill, Melissa Hill Burke, Jessica Kissinger, Ashley Malakoskie, and Timothy Malakoskie; and 5 great grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Andrew R. Gillespie and his sister, Alyce Busch.
Services will be held at the convenience of the family. Heller Funeral Home LLC, Nescopeck is assisting his family.
Memorial Contributions are suggested to the Animal Resource Center, PO Box 439, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania 17815.
Online messages of comfort for his family may be sent to condolencse@HellerFuneralHomeLLC.com