Ernest Gilroy

Ernest “Ernie” Gilroy, 96, of Waukegan, died August 26, 2015 at home. Ernest graduated from Lake Forest High School in June of 1936, Lake Forest College in August of 1947, and received a Masters Degree from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb in 1960. He retired as a Lieutenant Senior Grade from the U.S. Navy Reserve in 1968, after 21 years of service. Ernie was an Eagle Scout and became a member of the Order of the Arrow, and was an assistant scoutmaster while a member of Troop 48. He was a member of the Lake Forest American Legion Post 264. He taught junior high school in Fox Lake, Antioch, and taught sixth grade and was principal of an elementary school in Lake Bluff. He also taught elementary schools in Winnetka and Waukegan city schools and retired in 1978. Ernest taught science and nature in summer day camps for 15 years in Highland Park, Lake Forest Recreation Department and the Lake Forest Academy. Ernest was Athletic Director for the U.S. Army at For Sheridan in the mid 1950's. He was inducted in Lake Forest College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1960. Ernest refereed and officiated football, baseball, and ice hockey at the high school and college level for 34 years, retiring at age 81 from umpiring. He was an avid golfer. He is survived by his wife, Ellen (nee Juntunen); son Paul Gilroy of Wilson, WY; granddaughter Amelia Gilroy of Frankfort, IL. Ernie was preceded in death by his father, Ernest Cowles Gilroy Sr.; mother Amelia Smith Gilroy; son Gregory R. Gilroy; and brothers Middleton B. Gilroy, and Herbert Garrey. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 2, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Rd, Zion. Interment will follow at North Shore Garden of Memories, North Chicago, IL. A visitation will take place on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.