Dennis Gillikin

Dennis O’Neil Gillikin, 81, died gracefully at home in Hartfield, VA on Friday, June 24, 2022.

Dennis was born on Staten Island, New York on March 6, 1941. He graduated from Tennessee Wesleyan

College and earned a Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration from The College of William

and Mary. Prior to retirement, Dennis was Principal of both Bethel High School and Kecoughtan High

School in Hampton, VA. Dennis was past president of the Rotary Club of Newport News and a Paul

Harris Fellow. As an Irish tenor, he enjoyed his membership in The Richmond Virginians barbershop

chorus.

In retirement, Dennis served as Director of the Watermen’s Museum in Yorktown, Virginia.

With his passion for boating, he captained Carpe Diem, Auweegot II, and Traveller on the Intracoastal

Waterway between Virginia and the Florida Keys. He was multi-talented as a boat builder, artist, and

woodworker.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents and older brother, Daniel B. Gillikin. His father O’Neil B.

Gillikin was an Atlantic coastal captain of an oil tanker during WWII. His mother Helen passed away

when he was 14.

He is survived by wife Lynn Schulz Gillikin, son Christopher O’Neil Gillikin and wife Melanie,

granddaughter Callie Isobel Gillikin, three stepchildren, five step-grandchildren, and five loving nieces.

Condolences can be expressed through Bristow-Faulkner Funeral Services at faulknerfuneralhcs.com.

A Celebration of Life is being planned.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the American Cancer Society.