93, of Wilmington, NC formerly of Alexandria, VApassed away April 16, 2009 at Lower Cape Fear Hospice. Born on August 24, 1915 to Abner and Bertha Gillingham, he grew up on his family?s dairy farm, Vernondale, which was part of the original Mount Vernon Estate, and spent most of his life in Fairfax County, VA. A veteran of WWII, he served in the south Pacific as a Navy Seabee, constructing fuel depots and aircraft landing fields. He spent over 40 years in the construction business as a carpenter and later construction superintendent. Upon retirement, Joe found great joy maintaining the yard and gardening. His most coveted rewards occurred when a stranger would stop by to tell him how much they enjoyed his lawn and keeping the neighborhood supplied with fresh tomatoes during the summer. He relocated to Wilmington NC in 2005 after the death of his wife of 55 years, Virginia Gillingham. He is survived by his son, Lewis Gillingham of Norfolk, VA and son and daughter-in-law Bruce and Debra Gillingham of Wilmington, NC. Visitation will be Sunday, April 19 from 6-8 pm at Cunningham Funeral Home, 811 Cameron St., Alexandria, VA. The Funeral Service and Interment will be Monday, April 20 at 1 pm at the Alexandria Friends Meeting House at Woodlawn which his ancestor Chalkley Gillingham helped found in 1848 at 8990 Woodlawn Rd., Ft. Belvoir, VA 22060. In lieu of flowers, contributions may respectfully be made to Alexandria Friends Meeting at Woodlawn or to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Dr, Wilmington, NC 28401.

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