Gary M. Nillissen, 94, of Hopkinton passed away May 23 at Metrowest Medical Center in Framingham. Born in Rotterdam, Netherlands, he was the son of the late Hermina (Steeman) and Joseph Nillissen. He served in the Royal Netherlands East-Indies Air Force as a sergeant major and was the husband of 58 years to the late Leonore (Rosenboom) Nillissen.

Gary was an avid gardener, a joy he passed on to both his daughters. He loved woodworking and built his daughters’ and granddaughters’ beautiful dollhouses that are now being played with by his great-granddaughters. He and his wife loved to travel and were often visiting parts of the United States as well as Europe and the United Kingdom.

Gary is survived by his daughters, Marlies Otmaskin and her husband, Dennis, of Hopkinton, and Yvonne Nillissen Tierney and her husband, Thomas, of Elmhurst, Illinois. He leaves a sister, Tonny Keeven-Nillissen of the Netherlands, and five grandchildren, Alexander Otmaskin (Ashley), Elizabeth Otmaskin (Kyle), Gregory Otmaskin (Danielle), Georgina Tierney and Eleanor Tierney. In addition, he has three great-grandchildren, Brayden Sullivan Otmaskin, Mackenzie Otmaskin and Delaney Otmaskin. He is predeceased by his wife, Leonore Rosenboom Nillissen, and son, Martin J. Nillissen.

Funeral services are private and under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton.

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