By Flint McColgan
Boston Herald
BOSTON 鈥� John Gill, a longtime leader of Boston Emergency Medical Services, has died. He was 61.
Gill, who died Saturday, served with Boston EMS for what would have been 40 years next month, having joined on June 25, 1986, according to the agency.
| MORE: The dash and the asterisk: Rethinking 鈥榯hank you for your service鈥�
He was promoted to paramedic in 1991, to deputy superintendent in 2003, and to his final role as superintendent-in-chief 鈥� the department鈥檚 second in command under Chief James Hooley 鈥� in 2020.
鈥淛ohn faithfully served this department for nearly 4 decades, dedicating his entire career to the mission of providing the highest standard of prehospital care to the people of Boston,鈥� Boston EMS wrote in a statement announcing his passing.
鈥淛ohn鈥檚 decades of service, leadership, and institutional knowledge leave an enduring mark on Boston EMS. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones, friends, and colleagues as they remember his life and his longstanding dedication to the department,鈥� the statement continued.
During his career, Gill served on Ambulance 13, Ambulance 5, and Paramedic 16, according to Boston EMS, 鈥渨here he built a reputation for reliability, depth of knowledge, and dedication to operational excellence.鈥�
Gill鈥檚 obituary says that he was 鈥渁 long-standing member of Knights of Columbus鈥� as well as a founding member of the department鈥檚 Honor Guard and instrumental in establishing the Boston EMS Relief Association.
Visiting hours are scheduled for May 28 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Robert J. Lawler & Crosby Funeral Home in West Roxbury. A funeral the next day is for family and friends.
Gill鈥檚 family asks that donations be made in his memory to 鈥渂enefit and support EMT鈥檚 furthering their education and pursuing certification as Paramedics in the city of Boston. Donations may be mailed to BEMSRA, PO Box 290668, Charleston, MA 02129.鈥�
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