Richard Anthony “Rick” Gillen, 56, a resident of Mars Hill for 4 years, passed away August 3, 2017. He was born April 7, 1961 in Asheville, NC to the late Barbara Ann Gillen Brock. He graduated from A.C. Reynolds High School in 1979 and earned an Associate’s degree for Diesel Mechanics from AB Tech. Richard was a self employed mechanic and also enjoyed fishing and playing golf. For those that knew him he was one of a kind and special in many ways and will be dearly missed. He will be watching over his girls from Heaven. In addition to his mother he is preceded in death by his grandfather, Albert Austin Gillen; grandmother, Mary Ruth Gillen; aunt, Betty Jean Gillen Reed, and uncle, Albert Austin Gillen Jr. Surviving Richard are his daughters, Elizabeth Ashley Gillen and her fiancé, Michael Staicar of Mars Hill, and Delana Summer Gillen of Black Mountain; siblings: Calvin Lee Gillen of Fairview, Deanna Kimberly Davis of Enka, and Michele Brock Long and spouse, Robert of Leicester; a niece; 6 nephews; and many cousins, great nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, friends, and his dog, Camo. The family would like to thank the Haynes and Staicar families, all of their neighbors, and friends who have been so supportive through this difficult time. In addition to the Haynes and Staicar families, the family would like to extend their gratitude to the Franklin family who without their support his day or celebration wouldn’t have been as special.

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