Obituary of Gordon S. "Dusty" Stilwell

Gordon S. “Dusty” Stilwell Sr., 69. of Saugus and formerly of Everett, husband of Margaret (McGrath) Stilwell of Everett, died Wednesday evening surrounded by his family following a short illness. He was the long time companion of Diane Dunn of Saugus for the past 13 years. Born in Malden, he was the son of the late Basil and Louise (Vogel) Stilwell and step son of the late Florence Stilwell. He was raised and educated in Malden and was a graduate of Malden High School, class of 1956. After high school, Dusty worked for the Marchese Construction Company for over thirty years and served in many capacities, including truck driver and foreman. After his retirement, he worked additional years as a landscaper at both the Bellevue Country Club in Melrose and the Everett/Saugus Elks Club, Post 642 where he has been a member for the last 25 years and received the Elk of the Year award in 2006. Dusty was also an avid guitar player who enjoyed playing at clubs and different venues throughout the Boston Area. He also was instrumental in organizing various jamborees for many charities but what was of most importance to him, was the initiation of the Stilwell Family Reunions. He is survived by his children, Gordon S. Stilwell Jr, and his wife Nancy of Everett, Mary Ann Benedetto of Peabody, Kelley Anne and her husband William Thompson Jr., of Medford, Julianne Stilwell of Malden and James Stilwell and his loving companion, Patricia Scolly of Everett, his brothers, Robert Stilwell Sr., of Pottstown, PA., Bruce Stilwell of Huntsville, AL, and Basil Stilwell Jr., of Malden, his three grandchildren, Timothy R. Benedetto Jr., Gordon S. Stilwell III, and Jenna A. Thompson. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and his extended family in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the father of the late Michael Stilwell and brother of the late William Stilwell Sr. His Funeral Service will be held on Monday at 10:00 AM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday from 4:00 until 8:00 PM. Burial in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701 or The Hallmark Health Visiting Nurse Assoc and Hospice Inc., 178 Savin St, Suite 300, Malden, MA 02148.