John M. "Jack" Lillis

John M. “Jack” Lillis, Jr., of Hockessin, Delaware, died on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. He was surrounded by family during his final days and passed peacefully at Cokesbury Village. He was born on February 6, 1942 in Philadelphia and his family later moved to Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. His parents were John M. Lillis and Catherine O'Donnell Lillis.

Jack graduated from Monsignor Bonner High School in 1960 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Studies from Villanova University. After completing ROTC, he was commissioned as a midshipman in the Navy in 1964. He served on the USS Independence (CV-62) from 1964 to 1966. He married Carol Ann Trevisan in 1964 at St. Anastasia Church in Newtown Square, PA, and they had a devoted marriage for over 53 years. They met on a blind date their senior year of high school and attended Villanova together. They raised a close-knit family of four boys. Jack and Carol resided in Fairfax County, VA, Lancaster, PA, Wilmington, DE, and Landenberg, PA throughout their marriage.

Jack was employed at JG Hook and Roman Mosaic & Tile Company when the family lived in Wilmington.

Jack loved to read and he was very interested in world history. Perhaps inspired by his world travels in the Navy, he loved to plan and go on trips with family and friends.

He was a loving father and very involved in his sons' lives, coaching various sports teams when they were young. As the boys went to high school and college, Jack and Carol traveled frequently to attend their sporting events. Years later, they also loved being with their 10 grandchildren, attending their various activities and cheering them on. Jack was very social; he was quick to smile and was generous by nature.

Over time, Jack collected a number of interesting hats that showed up at family trips and parties. He had a notorious penchant for candy, which he successfully passed down to his children and grandchildren.

Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Carol, in 2017, and his younger brother, Michael “Mick”, in 2011. He is survived by his four sons and their wives: Scott (Sandra), Brad (Colleen), Stephen (Jill) and Brian (Katie); and his cherished grandchildren, Ingrid, Finn, Erin, Nate, Hans, Jack, Kyle, Sydney, David and James. He is also survived by his sisters, Joan Schmidt (Robert) and Kay Killian (Gerry).

The family would like to thank all of the special people, and particularly Cynthia Hollingsworth, who took loving care of Jack in his final years.

Family and friends are invited to visit on Friday, May 22nd, 2026 from 9:30AM-11AM at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Rd., Wilmington, DE 19808, where a memorial service will begin at 11AM. Interment will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery – Ashland, 1516 Ashland Clinton School Rd., Hockessin, DE 19707.

In lieu of flowers, please make online gifts in memory of John M. Lillis Jr. to the Dementia Society of America (www.dementiasociety.org/donate) or to the US Naval Academy Foundation (www.usna.com/give).

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