Obituary: Michael Mcneill Gillmor

Michael Mcneill Gillmor, 88, of Cloquet passed away peacefully July 6, 2023. An evening visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Thursday, July 20 at Nelson Funeral Care in Cloquet. Visitation will continue at 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral service Friday, July 21 at Nelson Funeral Care. A lunch reception will follow. Interment will be held at New Calvary Cemetery in Cloquet.

Michael was born in Cloquet to Earl and Margaret (Arthur) Gillmor on March 29, 1935, the youngest of three children. He lived in Cloquet for a short time until the family moved out to the country "farm" in Perch Lake Township. There, he grew up learning how to garden, tend to the animals and developed a love for hunting and fishing. Mike treasured the memories of family gatherings at the farm, which involved good food and lots of stories, as well as harmonious singing. He attended the Sawyer elementary school and graduated from Carlton High in 1953. Mike was an outstanding athlete, continuing his basketball career while attending junior college in Virginia. In 1954 he joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. He became a marksman with the rank of Specialist Third Class. In 1957, he came back to Cloquet, where he married and started a family in 1959. Mike had a vision to serve people and went into the tavern business, first as a bartender, then as a business owner of the Cloquet Bar & Lounge. He was a strong advocate for the Tavern Association of Minnesota, often lobbying at the State Legislature. Mike owned and operated the Cloquet Bar & Lounge for over 50 years until retiring in 2018.

Mike was baptized and grew up in the Catholic faith. He recalled many fond memories of his Grandma Arthur and Aunt Helen bringing him to church. It was this faith he relied on in his later years. Mike was a friend to many and was known to help others when they were down and out. He gave to many charitable organizations and loved giving his prized vegetables from his garden to his friends and family every year. Mike's love for God and family only grew stronger over the years.

For all of the accomplishments in Mike's life (including hitting a hole-in-one in golf twice!) he most valued his relationships with family and friends. He will be remembered for his gift of gab, humor, generosity, quest for knowledge and his love of reading.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert; sister, Sharon; and "adopted" brother, Jack Forcier. He is survived by his children, Ruth Anne (Bill Reed) Gillmor, Rhonda (Doug Golen) Stevenson, Michelle (Jon Pettit) Gillmor, Summer (Jason) Lieske, and Robert (Katherine) Gillmor; grandchildren, Amy (John Dorr) Jensen, Jake (Allie Jackson) Anderson, Brittany (Kyle) Risdall, Matt (Amanda Anderson) Anderson, Zack (Annamay Frazier) Anderson, Courtney (Zackry) Graves, and Destany Stevenson; great-grandchildren, Amia, Liam, Zephaniah, Elias, Micah, Rowan, and Cora Mae; and extended family and friends.

Pine Knot News July 14, 2023