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Russel E. "Skip" Gill

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | December 29, 2025

Russel E. "Skip" Gill, 82, of West Mifflin, passed away Saturday, December 27, 2025. He was born July 15, 1943 in West Mifflin and was the son of the late Ernest and Mildred (Sayre) Gill. He was the husband of 40 years to the late Mary Lou (Pietzak) Gill, who passed away November 13, 2011. A proud U.S. Navy Veteran, Skip served during the Vietnam War and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal in recognition of his service. Skip attended Saints Joachim and Ann Parish and was a member of the former Holy Spirit Church in West Mifflin. He retired after 30 years of service as an assistant roller at U.S. Steel Irvin Works. Following retirement, he continued working alongside his family at his son’s business, Steel City TV and Appliance Repair, where he served as both a technician and in administration. He was a die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Skip was deeply involved in his sons’ lives, coaching them in wrestling, baseball, and football. He was wild and tough, with a great sense of humor, and was known for being very funny. Though he had a tough exterior, Skip was a loving and compassionate man who cherished his family dearly-especially his grandchildren. He lived by his favorite expression: “I work hard, so I can play hard.” He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his two sons, Russel E. "Russ" (Stephanie) Gill, Jr., and Francis Joseph "Frank" (Leah) Gill; grandchildren, Jeremy Gill, Francis Gill Jr., Julietta Joy Gill; sisters, Mary Allan and Sue (David) Fortney; nieces and nephews; and his beloved Dogs, Killer and Missy. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his siblings. Shirley McKnight, Lelia Cindrich, Lilly Bennett, Charlotte Jeffers, Lyda Michael, Norma Jean Gill, Rodney Gill, and Francis Joseph "Joe" Gill. Friends are welcome on Friday, January 2, 2026 from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at at the Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 6028 Smithfield Street, Boston, Elizabeth Township (412) 751-5000 Drew J. Gilbert, Director. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Sts. Joachim and Ann Parish - St. Michael Church, Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 10:00 am with The Rev. Thomas J. Burke, officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at Round Hill Cemetery, Elizabeth. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Skip's name, may be made to The American Heart Association, at www.heart.org/donate. Condolences may be made at GilbertFuneralHomeandcrematory.com

Originally published December 29, 2025.

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