Obituary of Roger Ernest Gillis

January 25, 1946 ~ September 5, 2025 It is with deep sadness that the family of Roger Ernest Gillis announces his peaceful passing at the age of 79 in Wellington, Prince Edward Island. Roger was born on January 25, 1946, in Tignish, PEI, to the late Ernest and Alma Gillis. He spent his early childhood in Tignish before moving with his family to the Boston, Massachusetts area, where he completed his education. In the late 1960s, Roger relocated to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he established a successful career in real estate sales. His deep sense of family led him back to Prince Edward Island in the early 1980s to care for his mother, eventually making his home in Summerside. In 2007, Roger met the love of his life, Florence Arsenault, and they were married in 2008. Together, they shared 15 wonderful years of marriage until Florence's passing in 2023. Roger embraced Florence’s family as his own, and the strong bonds he formed with them brought him great joy and pride. Roger will be lovingly remembered by his stepchildren: Gloria (Omer) Doiron, Roger (Paulette) Arsenault, Louise (Tony) Nightingale, Darlene (Claude) Gallant, and David (Cindy) Arsenault; 13 step-grandchildren and 22 step-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Jim (Eleanor) Gillis of Halifax/Dartmouth, as well as his cherished nieces and nephews: Lisa O’Regan (Daniel, Margaret, Aidan), Sean (Lisa) Gillis and daughter Haleigh, and Michael (Meaghan) Gillis and children Jackson and Mya. In recent years, Roger made many dear friendships at Le Chez-Nous assisted living facility, where he resided for the past two years. He will be remembered for his gentle kindness, warm humor, and the genuine care he extended to those around him. Visitation will be held at the Évangéline Funeral Home, 900 Route 124, Urbainville, on Thursday, September 11, 2025, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, September 12, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Saint-Philippe et Saint-Jacques Church, Egmont Bay. Interment will follow at Saint Simon & Saint Jude Church Parish Cemetery in Tignish. In lieu of flowers, donations in Roger’s memory to the Évangéline Funeral Home would be gratefully appreciated. To send a message of condolence, please visit the “Tribute Wall” on the left-hand side of this page or email: evangelinefuneralcoop@pei.aibn.com The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff and residents of Le Chez-Nous for the compassion and companionship they shared with Roger. May his memory be a blessing. The Royal Canadian Legion, Wellington Branch # 17, will hold a Memorial Service on Thursday, September 11 at 5:45 p.m.