Born in Inkerman, he resided in Pittston the greater part of his life. He was the founder and owner of William F. Gilroy real estate and insurance business in Greater Pittston. He was listed as the country’s best breeder of English setters and was awarded a plaque in 1970 by English Setter Association of America for furthering the perfection and improvement of the breed. He was an international judge at dog shows in the United states and Canada and between 1965 and 1970 judged 10 dog shows in California.
In 1925 and 1927 his dogs were awarded the national grouse championships, forerunner of the national field trial championships.
He was past president of the Pittston Chamber of Commerce, past president of Lackawanna County Kennel Club and a former director and organizer of the former Dime Bank and Trust Company of Pittston. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Church.
His wife, Sarah O’Malley Gilroy, died in 1962, and a brother, Rev. Leo Gilroy, former pastor of St. Ann’s Church, Freeland, died in 1967. He was preceded in death also by two sisters, Sister Madelina and Sister Ethelbert, both former instructors at Marywood College.
Surviving are sons, William F. and Edward, Pittston; Robert, South Bend, Ind.; 12 grandchildren.
Funeral will be held from Donnelly Funeral Home, 802 Susquehanna Ave., West Pittston, on Wednesday. Burial will be in St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow. Friends may call Monday 7 to 9 and Tuesday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9.
Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, PA) - January 15, 1973