Luke Gillespie was born on April 1,1949 in Boston, MA to the late Mary (Gainey) and Dr. Luke Gillespie. He graduated from Newton High School [1] in 1966 . He lived most of his adult life in Wayland, MA and moved to Acton, MA where he died on December 18, 2025 at the age of 76.
Raised in Newton, his Grandmother Grace and aunts introduced him at a young age to his life long passion for bridge. Known as a fierce competitor at home, in 2016 he was awarded the Larry Weiss Trophy by ACBL District 25 who noted his pleasant demeanor and graciousness at the bridge table. His love for bridge continued throughout his life, donating his time to supporting the Eastern Mass Bridge Association, taking on leadership positions, and attaining Diamond Life Master.
Luke first ventured into computing at Computer Library Services, Inc. (CLSI), then networking at DEC/Digital. It was the purchase of his then employer, TCI, by Bell Atlantic that his three decade long career as an independent consultant began. An expert in communications protocols, he spearheaded the development of SS7 Front-End Processors used by Bellcore in their national 800 and Line Information database applications. He retired in 2019.
It was at CLSI that he met his wife, Debby, and impressed her with his intellect, kindness, and generosity. A devoted husband and father, he shared his skills as a card shark with his sons and coached each of their teams when young. Frustratingly fair as a coach, he had the patience of a saint and was ready to join any activity they suggested. He relished his role as “Papa”, taking his grandkids on “mystery tours,” reading tirelessly, and enjoying their many activities and accomplishments. He was immensely proud of his family.
Surviving him is his wife, Deborah Holtz and his sons and grandchildren, Earl (Ponah), Ila and Anora; Aaron (Carolyn Park), Everly and Emerson; Eric (Gina), Charlotte, Christian, and Calvin. He leaves brothers, John (Linda) and David (Michelle); his sister-in-law Signe Holtz (Ron Halvorson); his nieces and nephews, Sarah (Adam Johnson), Ian, Katherine, and John Gillespie, Loronah Thom, Kerensa (Kyle Simpson), Debne (Chris Marlette), and Stuart Thom.
In addition to his parents, Luke was preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Seanna Holtz, his mother and father-in-law, Lorraine and Alfred Holtz… and Mary Chung’s Restaurant in Cambridge, MA.
The family wishes to thank Joyce Odum of Always There HomeCare for her compassionate care in his last years.
A celebration of life will be held March 21, 2026 from 1pm to 4 pm at the North Andover Country Club.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in his name to The Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014 or on The Michael J. Fox Foundation tribute page:
https://tribute.michaeljfox.org/tribute-page.php?id=3440&np=true
Deborah Gillespie
