Gerald "Jerry" Thomas Gilleran could build anything. When the eastside Detroit home that he and the love of his life, Barbara Ann Babcock burnt to the ground in the 70s, he built a new one on the same property. After purchasing Grigg Box Company in the heart of the city in 1963, which he owned until his retirement in 1993, he built wooden boxes for housing everything from car parts to army supplies. As his five children married and moved to homes of their own, he built additions and led their remodels.

All the while he was building, Jerry was also laying the foundation for the values he will be remembered for: the importance of family, spirituality, integrity and generosity of time. The man with the biggest heart lost his battle with heart disease and passed away on March 13, 2012. He was 79.

A devout Catholic, Jerry was the eldest son of George and Kathleen Gilleran of Three Mile Drive. He attended St. Mathews Elementary School, started High School in the seminary, and graduated from U of D. He severed 3 years in the US Army to assist with the Korean War effort where he was stationed on Belle Isle in Detroit.

Jerry and Barb were married at St. Matthews, and celebrated 52 years together. They raised their family at Our Lady of Good Counsel. He headed up the Teen Club there and served as a father figure to many youth in need.

His second "church," as Barb called it, was Grigg Box, where he was known as Mr. G. and employed over a hundred people, serving as a mentor and friend to all. He had a reputation as an honest and forthright businessman and someone who always had the best interests of those who worked for him in mind.

In 1978, the family moved to Port Huron, Michigan, to a home on the lake where the door was always open to family, friends and neighbors, hosting gatherings, reunions, holidays and weddings.

In 1999, Jerry and Barb transformed a rambling farm house in Watervliet, MI, that once served as a retreat to the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, into a place where all—family, old friends and new—were welcome to gather. From here, Jerry's garage served as the hub for countless projects, passing along to all of his 18 grandchildren, the possibilities of wood construction and how you can build anything.

Jerry is survived by 5 of his children and their children, Gary Gilleran (Susie), Patty Gilleran Klapperich (Tripp), Kathy Andrews (Bob), Debbie Frain (John), Peggy Rademaker (Gary) and five of siblings, Regina Butler (Betty Sheppard), Helen Roach (Ken) , Jim Gilleran (Ann), Dick Gilleran (Carol), and Thomas Gilleran (Judy). He was preceded in death by his wife Barbara Ann, two infant children, Mary Carmel and Joseph Thomas, and his youngest sister, Mary Frances Gilleran.

Services held at 12 PM, St. Mary's Church in Port Huron, Mi Saturday, March 24, 2012, Reception later. Donations are being accepted to Sr. Mary Fran Gilleran IHM Scholarship Fund, Cristo Rey School, Mr. Mike Khoury, 5679 West Vernor Highway, Detroit, MI 48209.