Thomas James Gillespie III, 84, died unexpectedly Monday in Vero Beach, Fla.

Born July 18, 1924, he was the son of the late Thomas J. Gillespie Jr. and Louise Succop Gillespie.

Tom grew up in Pittsburgh, attended Shady Side Academy, graduated from Deerfield Academy, and graduated from Princeton University.

He was a combat soldier in the European theater in World War II.

He was known by his friends as "Mean Tom" because of his good nature and amiable manner on the golf course. He spent his entire working career at the Lockhart Iron & Steel Co., now The Lockhart Co., succeeding his father as president in 1968 and retiring in 1989 at age 65. He was a member of the Lockhart Board of Directors for over 50 years. He has also served on the board of directors of Union National Bank, Integra, the Bennett Supply Co. and the Mellon-Stuart Co.

Tom was a dedicated leader of the YMCA of Pittsburgh, starting in 1951 as a member of the board of management of what was then known as the Golden Triangle YMCA. During his tenure as a volunteer for the YMCA, he served on the Metro Board of Directors from 1975 through 1996 and served as a member of the YMCA Board of Trustees from 1976 until his death. He served as chairman of the board of trustees from 1983 to 2002. He passed on his love for the Y and its camps to his children and grandchildren.

He was active with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania, taking part in the consolidation of the organization into one organization in the 1970s. He served on the board of directors from its inception until his death. He was awarded the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's highest volunteer award. He served on the board of directors of the Gifford Youth Activities Center in Vero Beach since 1999.

He was a former member of the Duquesne Club, serving on its board of directors from 1976 to 1979; the Pittsburgh Golf Club, and Longue Vue Country Club. At his death, he was a member of the Butler Country Club, the Grand Harbor Golf and Beach Club, and Bent Pine Golf Club.

He was a lifelong Presbyterian, growing up in the Central Shadyside United Presbyterian Church and later joining Shadyside Presbyterian Church. He always was active in the church, giving both of his time and treasure. He will truly be missed by all who knew him and were touched by his quiet kindness.

He is survived by his wife, Gladys Killmeyer Gillespie, and his four children, Thomas J. Gillespie IV (Christine), Carolyn Raetzke (Dennis), Louise Cannon (David) and David M. Gillespie (Patricia).

He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, TJ Gillespie, Kurt Gillespie, Jeffrey Gillespie, Brad Raetzke (Calley), Todd Raetzke, Alison Raetzke, Brian Cannon (Katie), Kevin Cannon, David Cannon and Jeremy Gillespie; and a great-granddaughter, Claire Raetzke.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Carolyn McIntyre Gillespie, who died in 1998. He is also survived by Eileen Killmeyer (Rick ¿ deceased), Karen Patterson (John), Scott Killmeyer, Stacie Lowery (Mike), Jan DeMartini (Nick) and six grandchildren.

<B>GILLESPIE</B>— Friends of Thomas James Gillespie III, who died Monday, March 9, 2009, will be received at <B>JOHN A. FREYVOGEL SONS</B>, 4900 Centre Ave. at Devonshire Street, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today.A funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church. At the request of the family, everyone is asked to meet at the church. Burial will follow in the Homewood Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hosanna Industries, 109 Rinard Lane, Rochester, PA 15074 or The Lighthouse, 1302 E. Cruikshank Road, Butler, PA 16002.