A long time supporter of local athletics and other youth activities, 64-year-old Eugene "Gillie" Gill of Barnesville is currently battling oral cancer and is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiation.
He is determined to be on the sidelines with the football team this fall where he as been since 1991. Although he was a football player for Union Local in high school where he was graduated in 1964, Gill has been backing the Shamrocks since two of his three daughters were cheerleaders.
Last year Gill, along with Tug Robson, equipment manager for the Union Local football team, created the Milk Bucket trophy for the annual Barnesville versus Union Local football game.
He was a volunteer with the chain crew gang on the sidelines of Barnesville football games from 1991-1998. The next year, Gill was asked by then head coach Al Treherne to volunteer as the equipment manager for the Barnesville football team, a position he still holds under current football coach Luke Johnson who took the position in 2005. Gill also helped with equipment for Union Local during playoffs.
Since the retirement of coach Treherne and therefore Doc Edwards, Gill has also added the care of minor injuries to his list of responsibilities for the football players. After his retirement from Alltel where he worked for 30 years, Gill obtained his certification in First Aid, Sports Medicine and CPR and other requirements, all at his own expense.
In addition to football, Gill has served as equipment manager for the Barnesville basketball team under coach Ben Porter and worked the wrestling sectionals and Barnesville invitational for high school and pee-wee wrestling.
He has coached pup league basketball, t-ball and girl's softball.
Gill is an honorary member of the Future Farmers of America. He was a state trapping and hunting instructor, volunteering his time to give trapping demonstrations to second and sixth grade students and at Camp Piedmont for Barnesville and Union Local students.
He is an official Buckmaster's scorer. He was president of the Good News Bass Club, which held youth fishing tournaments every year. He was also a member of the Bethesda and Flatrock Sportsmen's clubs.
He is a member of the Elks and the 200 Club. He is a member of the Barnesville Booster's Club, working at the club's weekly bingo.
Gill has been married to Tina (Long) Gill for 26 years. They have three daughters -- Amy Orr, Andrea (Long) Edwards and Ashley (Gill) Campbell. They have six grandchildren -- Alexis and Jake Edwards and Alivia and Kohl Campbell in the Barnesville School District and Aryelle and Jared Rasberry and Acasia Orr in the Union Local School District.
Gill was also a barber. As a young man, he drove dirt track cars, played fast pitch softball in college.
A benefit for Eugene "Gillie" Gill will be held Saturday, April 10 from 4-7 p.m. at the Elk's in Barnesville.
Tickets for the rigatoni and salad dinner are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. The price includes a drink. Dessert is available for an extra cost. An auction and raffle drawing will begin at 7 p.m.
Monetary donations are being accepted. Checks may be made payable to Barnesville Football Moms and sent to Brenda Brown, 9526 Waterworks Rd., Barnesville, Ohio 43713. Donations of auction items in good, quality condition may be made by contacting Amy Wells at 425-4147.
To purchase dinner or 50/50 tickets, contact Wells or Jennifer Houston at 425-2073.
The event is sponsored by the Barnesville Football Moms. All proceeds will go toward helping Gill in his battle with cancer.
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