Tom was born in Pittsburgh and came to Princeton in 1942. He spent the war in the Army infantry in Belgium and Holland. He returned to Princeton in 1946 and graduated in 1948. He then began working with the Lockhart Iron and Steel Co. near Pittsburgh, which was founded by his grandfather, Thomas Gillespie, and Charles Lockhart in the late 1800s. Tom became president in 1968 and retired in 1989.
He was active in a wide variety of clubs and organizations and was particularly proud of his association with the Golden Triangle Branch of the YMCA and the Central Shadyside United Presbyterian Church. He much enjoyed golf, tennis, squash, his family, and his golden retrievers.
Tom is survived by his wife; four children, Thomas J. IV, Carolyn G. Raetzke, Louise G. Cannon, and David M. Gillespie; and numerous grandchildren. The class extends its condolences to all of them.