Tony Gillespie, 47

Michael Anthony “Tony” Gillespie, 47, of Hendersonville passed away July 17, 2008, at Mission Hospitals, Asheville.

A native of Transylvania County he was the son of the late Bruce and Emmaline Parker Gillespie. He also was preceded in death by his brother, Doug Gillespie.

He graduated from Brevard High School.

He is survived by his wife, Carla Gillespie; daughters, Amanda Rene Gillespie and Emily Ann Gillespie; granddaughter, Bethany Farmer; grandson, George Carroll “CJ” Farmer; step-children, Grethel Compton Parris and her husband, Johnny; and step-son, Paul Compton; three step-grandchildren, Mason and Montana Compton and Jacob Parris of Hendersonville; sisters, Sandy Gillespie Davis of Laurel Park and Cindy Sentelle of Hendersonville; brothers, Buddy Gillespie of Pisgah Forest, Don Gillespie of Brevard, Kenny Gillespie of Kansas City, Kan., Carroll Gillespie of Boston, Johnny Gillespie of Brevard and Ray Beck of Hendersonville.

He was a kind and loving husband, brother, friend, uncle and an adoring father and grandfather.

A memorial service will be held today at 3 p.m. at Hicks Lake where he loved to spend his time with his family, friends and grandchildren at the lake.

“If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever”.

Asheville Mortuary Services is caring for the Gillespie family.