Joseph Patrick Gill

Joseph Patrick Gill Born September 5, 1945 Entered into eternal life February 20, 2013 Joe was a beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Uncle, Cousin, and Friend. Born and raised in Sacramento, Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Della Gill; his sister Rosemary Gill; his brothers Jack and Jim Gill; and niece Laura Gill. Joe is survived by his wife of 39 ½ years, Janet; sons Tom (Stephanie), Steve (Gretchen), Dan (Janelle), and Eddie (Tisha); grandchildren Olivia, Mia, Eddie, Ian, Alannah, Nolan, Jake, Josh, Madi, and Nyla; brother Mike (Mona); and many cousins, nephews, and nieces. Joe attended Sacred Heart Elementary School '59, Bishop Armstrong (now Christian Brothers) High School 63, and the University of San Francisco '67. He received a secondary teaching credential in '71 and Master's degree in English in '76 from CSUS. The love of baseball began to be nurtured at the age of seven when Joe began to play Little League. He then went on to be an outfielder for the CB teams, including the 1962 team which was state ranked. In 1963 he was recognized as the Athlete of the Year and was named All-City in baseball. He also played for Southside American Legion during high school. His athletic skills resulted in a partial baseball scholarship to USF and following Joe's graduation in 1967, he was drafted by the New York Yankees and played for their Class A team in Ft. Lauderdale. While modest about his own abilities, Joe's peers described him as an extremely talented baseball player. During high school and his freshman year at USF, Joe also played basketball and was a formidable opponent on the court with a smooth jump shot and a mean sky hook" shot. Joe utilized his knowledge of sports to coach. Over the years he read many books and watched numerous videos to help improve his players. He coached East Sacramento Babe Ruth from 1968-1972. He was at the helm of CB varsity basketball 1976-1984, winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Championship in 1978. Joe led the Southside American Legion team from 1973-1998. He resumed his role as a CB coach in 1993 when he was asked to assume control of the varsity baseball team. Under his guidance, the Falcons were often times in the post-season or in the thick of a league title race. Finishing baseball in 2006, he left a program that expected to be, and was, a regular in the play-offs. The rich tradition of CB baseball flourished under his guidance and he was honored and privileged to add to the story. Joe's greatest joy was the opportunity to coach his four sons during their high school years. Always humble, Joe never took any credit for his teams' successes, but attributed success to being blessed with good assistant coaches and good players who worked hard. In the fall of 1970 Joe began a 39 year teaching career at Christian Brothers High School. He taught English classes exclusively for 30 years, and then taught a mix of English and PE classes for several years before finishing his last few years teaching only PE. Joe began a unique Tai Chi class as a PE elective course which was thoroughly enjoyed by both girls and boys. In the early 1980's, Joe also served as the school Athletic Director. He had a special way of relating to his students and delighted in making them think'. Joe retired from teaching in 2009, but he didn't stay out of the classroom long. He volunteered for 2 1/2 years in Janet's 1st grade class at Sacred Heart School by listening to students read aloud and the students loved the attention he gave them Joe was very sincere about his Catholic faith. He prayed in the CB chapel on most school days, read the Bible, prayed the Rosary, and attended daily Mass when he retired. Knowing the importance he placed on a close relationship with God, he received Communion for the Sick daily for the past 18 months. Joe was ever grateful to his parents for giving him the gift of faith. He was a very spiritual person. Joe had many other great qualities. He was a doting grandfather and loved having the little ones around. Joe was also loving, kind, generous, hard-working, honest, and possessed a wonderful sense of humor-a trait he maintained until the very end. Always the philosopher, he enjoyed intellectual discussions and challenges with students, peers, and family. Seldom providing direct answers, Joe understood the importance of self-discovery. He frequently guided those seeking his counsel to the wisdom they sought, while remaining invisible in the process. Joe encouraged everyone to strive for the best they could be whether on the field or court, in the classroom, or in life. Joe was an avid Notre Dame Irish and San Francisco 49er's football fan and never missed a televised game. He enjoyed reading, watching CNN, learning Kung Fu and Tai Chi, and imparting wisdom and advice to his sons. Throughout his life, he was also a big tease. At Janet's insistence he did some traveling, always going wherever she wanted. Joe was a real home-body, never wanting to go on vacations and whenever one was suggested, he would propose pitching a tent in the backyard. Joe was a member of the La Salle Club at CB and will be inducted into the La Salle Club Baseball Hall of Fame in April. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Loaves and Fishes at P.O. Box 2161 Sacramento, CA 95812 or La Salle Club Christian Brothers High School 4315 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95820. Article Written In Sacramento Bee By Joe Davidson Joe Gill, a longtime teacher and coach at Christian Brothers High School, died late Wednesday night of congestive heart failure. He was 67. Gill was a star athlete at Bishop Armstrong in the early 1960s, playing on the state-ranked 1962 baseball team coached by Dick Sperbeck. Gill graduated from University of San Francisco and started teaching and coaching at Sacred Heart Parish School in Sacramento in the 1960s. Gill taught mostly English at CBS for 39 years, retiring in 2009. He coached CBS to a Sac-Joaquin Section basketball championship over Jesuit in 1978. Gill's greatest joy, he once told The Bee, was coaching his four sons in baseball at CBS - Ed, Dan, Steve and Tom. Said CBS principal Mary Hesser: "I remember Joe as a humble man who really 'walked the walk' when it came to his integrity and faith. Sometimes I would walk by the chapel at CB and could see through the crack in the door Joe in there on his lunch hour, all alone, praying and meditating. He was a holy man and much admired. He will be missed." Funeral services are scheduled for March 2 at 1:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church. - Joe Davidson