First a Wilkes-Barre woman telephoned Dr. R.C. Gilroy to say she heard Private Gilroy broadcast. Subsequently there were about six postal cards received, conveying similar information. The soldier said that he was captured on the Western Front and asked that anyone hearing the broadcast notify his wife and four children. Miss Lucille Connors, 316 Woodbine avenue, Syracuse, New York, and Mrs. Charles Patterson of Horseheads, New York, were among the number who wrote to the Chief of Police, telling of having heard the broadcast.
Private Gilroy is the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Gilroy, of Browntown. He is 33 years of age and is married to the former Catherine Murtha, of Pittston. His children are Robert, Lois, Marita and Thomas, all at home. He has a brother, Thomas, in the South Pacific. He has been in the service since last March and had been employed as a motorman at the Ewen Colliery.
Pittston Gazette - February 2, 1945
A native of Jenkins Township, he was employed by the U.S. Postal service in Newark, N.J. He was a veteran of World War II and was taken prisoner during the Battle of the Bulge. He was a member of St. Cecilia’s Church, Exeter.
Survivors are sons, Robert, Pennsville, N.J.; Thomas, West Pittston; Charles, Edwardsville; daughters, Mrs. William Gavrish, Beacon Falls, Conn.; Mrs. James Gilligan, West Pittston; Mrs. John Gilligan, Wyoming; 24 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brothers, Joseph and James, both of New Jersey; Robert, Wilkes-Barre; Martin, West Pittston; sisters, Mrs. Joseph Shandra, Pittston; Mrs. Louis Dominic, New Jersey; Mrs. William Lee, Hughestown; Mrs. Sam Rubino, Old Forge; Mrs. Michael Sovan, Plains.
Funeral will be from Donnelly Funeral Home, 802 Susquehanna Ave., West Pittston, Monday at a time to be announced. Friends may call Saturday 7 to 9 and Sunday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9.
The Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, PA) - April 29, 1977