Paul Gillan
May 15, 1939 — December 8, 2016
Paul A. Gillan, Sr., 77, of Millers, Maryland, died peacefully Thursday, December 8, 2016 at Carroll Hospital Center in Westminster. The son of late Anna Louisa Goebert and late Rush McCoy Gillan, Paul was born in Baltimore May 15, 1939, and lived his early years at the Goebert family home on Park Heights Avenue. He graduated from Forest Park High School in 1958, and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps shortly thereafter. He spent six years in the Marine Corps Reserve, 1stEngineer Battalion, and was honorably discharged in 1964 at the rank of Corporal.
Paul joined the Maryland State Police in January 1963, beginning a career in law enforcement that would stretch over the next forty years. He began as a road trooper, then was assigned to criminal investigations at “Valley Post” (now Valley Barracks) in Greenspring Valley. By 1968 he was in the Narcotics Section of MSP’s Intelligence division, where he spent three years as a plain-clothes officer investigating drug activity throughout the state. In 1971 he was transferred to the Investigations division where he established the “Investigative Assistance Unit” using federal grant monies. This special unit worked bank robberies, kidnappings, “murder for hire” and other high profile investigations. He was also placed in command of two successful major sting operations known as “BearTraps,” involving 70 law enforcement personnel from the MSP, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, the FBI and other jurisdictions. Paul retired from the uniformed service for medical reasons in 1988. He continued to work for the State Police as a civilian, managing the agency Property Unit responsible for holding and disposing of property seized in connection with arrests. He retired from this role in 2003 after 15 years of service. During his law enforcement career Paul received a Governor’s Citation, three Superintendent’s Commendations, and numerous community citizenship awards. Also, Paul worked for Loring Byers Funeral Directors, Inc. in Randallstown and then the Burrier-Queen Funeral Home & Crematory, PA in Sykesville, MD.
Paul was married to Barbara (Schmidt) Gillan on June 5th, 1966 at Overlea United Methodist Church, and in 1974 they moved with their two children to Millers. Paul was a loving husband and devoted father, attending his children’s games and matches and occasionally volunteering as a coach. He was an active member at Millers United Methodist Church, where he was certified as a lay speaker and became a lay leader in the church. He also served in many administrative roles, including Chair of the Administrative Council and more recently as the church Treasurer from 2010 until his death.
In addition to his wife, Paul is survived by his children, Catherine (Patrick) Double of Gettysburg, PA and Paul (Nona) Gillan, Jr. of Clifton Park, NY, and nine beloved grandchildren who were all very dear to him and a light to him in his later years. Paul’s other interests included woodworking, high-powered rifle shooting, and gardening.
The family will receive friends from 3pm-5pm and from 7pm to 9pm on Sunday, December 11, and from 10am to 11am Monday, December 12, at Millers United Methodist Church, 3435 Warehime Rd., Manchester, MD. Funeral services will be held at Millers UMC at 11am, Monday, December 12, with a reception luncheon following the burial. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Paul’s memory to Manchester Volunteer Fire Department, 3209 Main Street, PO Box 416, Manchester MD 21102-0416. Online condolences at www.burrier-queen.com.
Paul joined the Maryland State Police in January 1963, beginning a career in law enforcement that would stretch over the next forty years. He began as a road trooper, then was assigned to criminal investigations at “Valley Post” (now Valley Barracks) in Greenspring Valley. By 1968 he was in the Narcotics Section of MSP’s Intelligence division, where he spent three years as a plain-clothes officer investigating drug activity throughout the state. In 1971 he was transferred to the Investigations division where he established the “Investigative Assistance Unit” using federal grant monies. This special unit worked bank robberies, kidnappings, “murder for hire” and other high profile investigations. He was also placed in command of two successful major sting operations known as “BearTraps,” involving 70 law enforcement personnel from the MSP, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, the FBI and other jurisdictions. Paul retired from the uniformed service for medical reasons in 1988. He continued to work for the State Police as a civilian, managing the agency Property Unit responsible for holding and disposing of property seized in connection with arrests. He retired from this role in 2003 after 15 years of service. During his law enforcement career Paul received a Governor’s Citation, three Superintendent’s Commendations, and numerous community citizenship awards. Also, Paul worked for Loring Byers Funeral Directors, Inc. in Randallstown and then the Burrier-Queen Funeral Home & Crematory, PA in Sykesville, MD.
Paul was married to Barbara (Schmidt) Gillan on June 5th, 1966 at Overlea United Methodist Church, and in 1974 they moved with their two children to Millers. Paul was a loving husband and devoted father, attending his children’s games and matches and occasionally volunteering as a coach. He was an active member at Millers United Methodist Church, where he was certified as a lay speaker and became a lay leader in the church. He also served in many administrative roles, including Chair of the Administrative Council and more recently as the church Treasurer from 2010 until his death.
In addition to his wife, Paul is survived by his children, Catherine (Patrick) Double of Gettysburg, PA and Paul (Nona) Gillan, Jr. of Clifton Park, NY, and nine beloved grandchildren who were all very dear to him and a light to him in his later years. Paul’s other interests included woodworking, high-powered rifle shooting, and gardening.
The family will receive friends from 3pm-5pm and from 7pm to 9pm on Sunday, December 11, and from 10am to 11am Monday, December 12, at Millers United Methodist Church, 3435 Warehime Rd., Manchester, MD. Funeral services will be held at Millers UMC at 11am, Monday, December 12, with a reception luncheon following the burial. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Paul’s memory to Manchester Volunteer Fire Department, 3209 Main Street, PO Box 416, Manchester MD 21102-0416. Online condolences at www.burrier-queen.com.
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