Gillie Vaisa

Vaisa, Gillie
Gillie F Vaisa, age 85, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, went on to be with Jesus, his Lord and Savior on December 14, 2021. After battling a sudden illness, Gillie went peacefully in his sleep with his wife Joylynn by his side and surrounded by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Gillie was born in Valencia, New Mexico, he attended Los Lunas High School where he was a star basketball player. After graduating High School in 1955, Gillie joined the Navy and was stationed in San Diego, California. Gillie felt blessed to have served his country, where his position as a sailor on the USS Toledo allowed him to visit Australia, Hong Kong and many other ports in Asia Pacific.
Gillie met his wife of 61 years, Joylynn, in high school and although for four years after graduation, they were at times separated by thousands of miles of ocean, he never stopped loving her.  After finishing his time in the Navy, Gillie made his way back to Peralta, where he proposed to Joylynn and the two were married on August 20,1960.
Gillie began his lifelong career of concrete sales in the warehouse of Burke Concrete where he swept the floors and stocked shelves. His bosses quickly took note of his work ethic and eagerness to learn and he soon became manager of the warehouse, then moved to inside sales and eventually outside sales, where he flourished. During his 60-year career, Gillie was a top salesman and won a number of sales awards while working for various organizations, including Concrete Systems, JH Supply, Laughlin Supply and he ultimately became his own boss as a co-founder and co-owner of ACE Rebar. Gillie never met a stranger, and being a concrete salesman was his calling and one of his true joys; he approached his job with a true servant’s heart. Contractors all over the state of New Mexico and Southern Colorado knew Gillie would always go the extra mile to get them their products and if that meant a delivery of concrete blankets to a job site in the middle of a winter night to keep the job on schedule, he and Joylynn would load up the kids and head out to deliver those blankets. Gillie never retired, as this was his secret to staying youthful, sharp and energetic.  He always said he would “die in his boots” and he did just that.
Gillie recognized fulfillment through his family and career was only possible because of his strong faith, which was the most important thing in his life. Gillie became a member of New Beginnings in 2002, where he and Joylynn served in multiple capacities - as ushers, making coffee every Sunday and Gillie taught multiple Bible studies throughout the years. Beginning in the 80’s they hosted a weekly Bible study at their home where everyone was welcome. He loved to share Jesus with others and would do so at work, with his family, friends and strangers alike.
Gillie was preceded in death by his parents, Jose and Maria Vaisa; sisters, Esther Garcia, Adela Garcia, Louisa Castillo, and his brothers, Joe Vaisa, George Vaisa, Adenago Vaisa. He is survived by his wife Joylynn, his children, Gary (Della), Marlene and Beverly (Steve); grandchildren, Gillie Vaisa (Priscilla), Audrey Villarreal (Chris), Andrea Vaisa; great grandchildren, Kylie Vaisa, Noah Vaisa, Jacob Villarreal and Isaiah Villareal. He had a multitude of nephews and nieces that he loved dearly as well as friends across the country.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Tuesday, December 28th 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at New Beginnings Church, 4770 Montgomery Blvd NE.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Samaritan’s Purse.
To view information or leave a condolence please visit www.danielsfuneral.com
Daniels Family Funeral Services
1100 Coal Ave SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
505-842-8800