John Vernon Gill

John ("Jack") Vernon Gill, 87, of Simsbury, CT, died peacefully with his family by his side, on Monday, October 20, 2025.

A New Jersey resident for nearly his entire life, Jack graduated from Dover High School in 1956 and received his Bachelor's degree in Education from Drew University in 1960. He then immediately transitioned to a career in the Mt. Olive school district in Flanders, NJ, where he was first a classroom instructor, then quickly became a pillar of the instrumental music program until his retirement in 2000. Over decades as a teacher, Jack played nearly every instrument, specializing in the piano and clarinet and learning harp in his later years. He left an indelible impression on everyone he met, bringing music, good humor, and kindness to generations of students who passed through his band room, as well as to friends, colleagues, and members of his town. In 1984 he joined the Hackettstown Community Band, where he marched in parades, performed in concerts, conducted, and arranged music for the next several decades. Jack will always be remembered as an animal lover and fervent supporter of pet adoption and animal rescue organizations. His menagerie of chickens, goats, cats, dogs, guinea pigs, and ducks made him famous around Flanders, and lucky residents would often spot him walking his goats on Main Street. Jack also had a fondness for cars of the 1940s and 1950s and was a proud member of the Kaiser Frazer Classic Car Club since 1963. In his leisure time, he enjoyed riding his bike, writing and listening to music, watching vintage sitcoms on television, and, in later years, spending time with his grandchildren.

Jack is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary Ellen (Kincaid) Gill, of Simsbury, CT; his daughter, Colleen (Gill) Knapp, and her husband, Richard, of Temecula, CA; his daughter, Heather (Gill) Canedo, and her husband, Federico, of Wilton, CT; and his brother, Eugene Gill, of Succasunna, NJ. Jack also leaves behind five grandchildren: Chelsea, Olive, Sophie, Rhys, and Pearl.

Jack's family would like to express its deep appreciation for the compassionate care provided by his doctors and the staff at UConn John Dempsey Hospital. According to his final wishes, Jack will be cremated with no public service held. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack's memory may be made to Best Friends Animal Society (https://bestfriends.org/donate) or to a charity of your choosing.

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