Mr. John "Jack" T. Gilmore Jr

Renown Teacher and Coach  

WATERBURY, CT – In grateful remembrance of a teacher and coach who made a huge difference to so many, it is with heavy hearts that the family of John T. “Jack” Gilmore Jr. age 88 of Waterbury, share the news of his peaceful passing on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at the Village of East Farms in Waterbury.   

John was born on March 16, 1936 in Waterbury, the son of the late John T. Sr. and Mary Catherine (Kelly) Gilmore. He was a graduate of Sacred Heart High School and worked his own way through Fairfield University. He began his teaching career with the City of Waterbury in the early 1960’s with his first assignment at East Farms School. John had a love for sports, especially baseball and basketball. He devoted his life to coaching and mentoring the youth of Waterbury. He coached the Waterbury Boys Club,and several other local teams but his greatest accomplishment was leading the Sacred Heart High School, Class of 1967 to the CT State Basketball Championship. John left such an indelible mark on the high school basketball scene in Waterbury, in 2010 the City of Waterbury named the outstanding high school defensive player of the year awarded annually, the “Coach John Gilmore Defensive Player Award”. He was not only an accomplished coach but a mentor to so many. In his later years he enjoyed visiting as many major league ballparks as possible throughout the country and attending the Final Four Championships. A devout Catholic if he wasn’t on a baseball diamond or on a basketball court you could find him in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, his home away from home. With his insight and experience, John Gilmore always made the classroom brighter and the playing field a fairer, safer place to also learn. May he enjoy his well-deserved rest in the arms of his Lord.  

 Left to honor his legacy and cherish his memory, are his sister, Rosemary Lewis of Hampton NH and his brother Joseph Gilmore of Waterbury, his nieces and nephews; Micheal Lewis (Barbara) of Berkley NJ, Mark Lewis (Jan) of Collingwood Ontario and Amy Rushton of Maynard MA. He also leaves his grand nieces and nephews; Ryan, Justin and Cossette Lewis, Nicholas Rushton and Nina Lewis as well as many close friends and extended family members.
 

Funeral services for Mr. Gilmore will be held on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. when a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, 74 West Main St Waterbury CT. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waterbury. Relatives and friends may pay their respects and visit with his family on Wednesday morning from 8:30 a.m. until the procession leaves for church at Casey’s Eastside Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Care 1987 East Main St Waterbury CT 06705. To honor John’s memory and in lieu of flowers, donations to the Waterbury Boys and Girls Club at www.bgcgwater.org. would be greatly appreciated by his family. Loving kindness is always welcome. Sharing a memory or words of comfort with the family and friends of John may be made on the funeral home tribute page at www.caseyfunerals.com. To send a memorial or gift of flowers, please visit the funeral homes Sympathy Store.