Hello, we are Erich and Emma Kirchubel and we have known Anthony and Amanda since 2013. We would like to start by thanking Amanda for allowing us to say a few words about Anthony and the impact he had on our lives. Like all of you, we were devastated to learn of Anthony’s ongoing health issues and completely floored when he was unable to recover. Anthony Gillet was, without a doubt, one of our best friends and there isn’t a couple on the planet that we have spent more time with than Anthony and Amanda.

When Emma and I first moved to Wilmington in 2013, we found it strangely difficult to meet new people. Our first interaction with Anthony and Amanda was at a beer festival in downtown Boston and that set the stage for our continuing friendship. Living only a few miles from their house, we would spend most weekends with them either with our dogs in the forest, at their house playing boardgames, or in Boston at some kind of festival, whether it was chili, ice cream, beer, or games. We went on big trips with each other including renting a houseboat in Vermont one Memorial Day weekend, an RV in Vermont another Memorial Day weekend, trips around New England, a trip to Germany and England, and after we moved to Las Vegas, they flew out to surprise Emma on her birthday. There simply aren’t enough hours in the day to recount the adventures we had with Anthony and Amanda.

Anthony’s warm personality was constantly on display. We all love boardgames, but Anthony LOVED them. He would find complicated games that would take hours to explain and then hours to play and he would relish the opportunity to break the instructions down into laymen’s terms. He was always around if we needed help with something. He was always cooking food and keeping his kegerator topped up. And he always welcomed us into the amazing home he had built for him and Amanda.

Anthony’s humor was never far away either. His ability to quickly think of a funny retort or comment meant trips like the houseboat and RV were like weekend-long comedy shows. His technological prowess was unmatched, as anyone who has stepped foot in his 22nd century house can attest to. His desire to always try new things also ensured that our weekends in Massachusetts were never boring.

Mostly, however, his love for his family was unquestionable. He strove to continuously improve upon the lives he and Amanda had achieved with each other. Whether it was meticulously designing their house, taking part in internet campaigns that took them to a Hollywood movie premier, adapting to Gizmo’s… intricacies, buying and managing their rental properties, or allowing Amanda to flood their house with marshmallow figurines, Anthony enjoyed it all. He loved completely, and he was loved completely.

In July, 2023 Emma and I were able to fly back to America and spend a long weekend with Anthony and Amanda. It was like we’d never left. Over 3 days we played boardgames, did a few escape rooms, ate too much food, drank too much beer, spent time downtown, and laughed like we hadn’t laughed in a long time. We of course did not know that would be the last time we would ever see Anthony, because no one ever thinks that. It was an incredible weekend that re-enforced why he was one of our best friends. Everything was easy with Anthony and we will cherish the memory of our time with him forever.

Our profound sympathies go out to everyone who knew him, but most of all, to Amanda. We are so, so sorry you have to go through this nightmare and we desperately wish we could have been there for you both over the last few months. You remain one of our dearest friends and we hope you know that we are here for you when you need us. We will never forget Anthony Gillet and the thousands of amazing memories he has given us.

My wife and I first met Anthony when he was a software engineer helping to develop voice recognition software. We admired his dedication and skill in that profession. As he progressed up his company hierarchy, we talked often about his interaction with his colleagues. Being a supervisor myself, we compared notes on how to keep colleagues engaged and motivated in the work. Anthony was a smart engineer and highly regarded by those he worked with and supervised.

It was while he was in this line of work that he met my daughter, Amanda. Laurie and I loved to hear the two of them talk about their early romance. As a dad, I was excited that Amanda had found someone who she genuinely regarded as a soul mate. In fact, when they went to pre-marital counseling with our pastor, the pastor said he had never met a couple as completely compatible as they were.

Being a young couple, both with meaningful jobs and an active social life, they created a lot of special memories together (some of which you’ll see in the slide show later). As they shared their experiences with my wife and I, we were thrilled about the joy they found in each other and thanked God for the incredible work He was doing in their lives.

It was during those early years that Anthony and Amanda decided to move out of their apartment and buy a house. Anthony absolutely knew how to do his homework, and he entered the adventure with eyes wide open. When they decided to have a new home built for them, he enthusiastically embraced the challenge. One of my favorite memories from that time was Anthony’s insistence on getting the wiring just right so that their house had all the latest networking, sound, and video capability. After the house was framed, Anthony told the builders not to put up any interior drywall until he had the opportunity to install the wiring himself. He did an amazing job, and to no one’s surprise, everything worked exactly as he planned.

Over time, their work responsibilities changed. Anthony changed careers and Amanda had a job that allowed frequent teleworking. Now that they were not so busy, we had the opportunity to spend more time with both of them. Anthony kept very well informed and talked intelligently about a wide variety of subjects. We most enjoyed asking him about his life experiences and the things he was passionate about. He loved to travel, try new foods, read, play video games, conquer escape rooms, smoke meat, invent new recipes, and explore the latest technologies (particularly hybrid vehicles).

Anthony was eager to share his passions with others. We often compared travel notes, and his observations influenced mine. When he found a new restaurant that appealed to him, he would often invite my wife and I to come with him and Amanda. At holiday times, his ability to prepare the ideal Thanksgiving turkey is the stuff of legend. We shared a common interest in vegetables roasted over fire, which Amanda loves, and Anthony was a master at that.

Anthony married into a family that loves games and puzzles. Happily, so did he. He was eager to join in the games we enjoyed and taught us many new ones that we might not have encountered apart from his influence. He loved escape rooms and was exceptionally skilled at getting out of them. It was our great joy to join him in that activity and we could do so because we were confident he would always know how to solve the puzzles necessary to get out.

Anthony learned how to play golf when he was a young man but had not had occasion to pick up a club for many years. As it happens, I really enjoy golf and wanted to share that experience with him. Not long ago, he inherited a set of clubs left behind by some dear relatives, so he and Amanda and I went golfing. I have been golfing since 1993 and while I am not great, I generally don’t embarrass myself. Anthony’s first drive on the first hole was a thing of beauty and I marveled at how good he was, especially since he had not golfed in years. Watching him over those nine holes, I was reminded how easily he grasped new skills, how well he remembered all he been taught decades ago, and how readily he adapted to new circumstances.

My wife and I admired Anthony in 2007 when he married our daughter. Our admiration and respect and love for him have grown immeasurably over the years as we have come to know him and enjoy his friendship. We will treasure every moment we spent with Anthony. In our society today, a good man has been defined “as someone who embodies virtues such as integrity, compassion, reliability, strength, respect, self-awareness, and a growth mindset.” Anthony certainly embodied those traits.

He was Amanda’s remarkable husband, Linda’s beloved son, our treasured son-in-law, and a dear friend to all. We will miss him very much. 

Happy birthday to my sweet boy!  Of course you really weren’t a boy anymore but mom’s prerogative.  I remember birthdays at Pizza  Hut and a yogurt shop that had a ball pit.  I remember birthdays as an adult at great restaurants you found as well as more quiet ones with family.  I honored you today with a cake at church with the other October birthday people.  

I am so proud of the man you became and will miss you so so much for the rest of my days.  I love you.❤️

I met Anthony in the 6th grade and he quickly became one of the best friends I had the joy of having in my entire life. He loved puzzles and magic tricks. We shared a fondness for video games and spent countless weekends and summers together having the best time growing up and playing games. Anthony loved getting the difficult achievements to prove he was better than the rest. One summer when his wonderful mother, Linda invited me to come to Busch Gardens with them we practically had to pry Anthony away from Mario 64 because there was a particularly hard to get star that was nagging at him that week. But of course he expertly grabbed that star, we made the park on time and had a blast running around ask kids for what may have been the last time before life pulled us in different directions thru the rest of high school.

I was lucky enough to reconnect with Anthony in a group chat with my brother and another friend of ours a few years ago. It basically felt like picking up where we left off. Joking about bad movies. Talking about what we were playing that week. Trying to out recommend horror movies to each other. Sharing cooking tips. I’m truly lucky to have had Anthony back in my life for the last several years.

Anthony stuck by me when I was bullied in gym class. He was there to help me when things were bad with my parents. He was the friend everyone always hopes they would grow up with and he grew into a man that so many people  loved and admired. I am going to miss him so much. 

Mandi, you are in our thoughts and prayers.

(I am your mom's cousin.)

Linda,

We are so sorry to hear of Anthony's passing.  It has been a lot of years since our Wesleyan days but you know you will always have a special place in my heart.  Please accept our deepest condolences.

Ray and Linda Olsen

Mandi and Mrs Gillet, I’m so sorry for your loss and share my deepest condolences.

Anthony and I attended Saint James School together. Though we didn’t stay in close touch, I always respected and appreciated his character and kindness. He was clearly brilliant and a person of real heart, especially at a time of life when most teenagers aren’t. He always seemed to stay true to himself. 

His mom and I saw each other through work events for a few years post college and chatted about him. I lost touch when I left the healthcare field but was grateful for those talks and to know he had gone on to a great things. She also was so kindhearted, it is easy to know where he got it. It was always a comfort to see her warm, smiling face and to know that a deserving person succeeded at having a joyful and full life.  

Please know you’re both in my continued prayers. May you feel Anthony’s sweetness with you always, and his care and love. And may God’s peace surround you and give you strength in the days ahead . 🙏🏻

Blessings,

Julia McDonald Yuhasz

Anthony was the best of us.  His kindness was unmatched.  His heart large enough to care for all of those lucky enough to know him.  

I spent countless hours with him playing video games, watching movies, hanging out at the mall, and just simply driving around.  He loved gaming.  I could sit there and watch him play Zelda and Final Fantasy for hours.  Well, maybe an hour at a time.  These were games that I didn't play myself, but was still entertained by his explanations of what was going on and what he was trying to do.  He also loved multiplayer games and we played them for hours:  Mariokart, Goldeneye, Twisted Metal, Worms, Command and Conquer, Age of Empires, Metal Gear Solid, more than I could probably remember.  He loved trivia and we used to play You Don't Know Jack on the computer.  Anthony loved movies and we saw countless movies in the theatres and on VHS (lol). 

 Anthony always had time to listen and to be there for people.  Was always up to hang out or go do just about anything.  We played pranks on each other and sometimes they could be hurtful, it was indeed high-school when we were close.  I believe he knew how much I cared for him.  I believe he knew how much he meant to a lot of people in high-school.  I believe that there were a lot of people that truly liked him and enjoyed his presence during that time.  I believe that there were more than he even knew.  

His mother was one of the kindest people that I have ever met and I feel for her so deeply during this time.  She did a fantastic job with him and I know he was truly grateful for her.  Her kindness passed to him so very clearly.  Mandi, I have never met you, but I can tell by every photo he is in with you that you brought out the best parts of him.  You are both truly beaming in nearly every shot I have seen of you together and I can tell he met the person that he was looking for and he felt as the luckiest man alive.  Both of you made him happy and brought out the best in him, the person that we shall all truly remember forever.

The world loses an amazing person.  He affected anyone who knew him well in such a positive way.  From his goofy charm, to his sharp wit, Anthony was truly one of a kind.  I am so thankful and lucky that I had the chance to know Anthony as well as I did.  I am so sorry that I was not able to be there during these past few weeks, I only wish that I had known.  So that I could be sure that he knew how important he was to me and to many others.  So I could have told him how he was the best of us.  

I am so shocked and saddened to hear the news of Anthony's passing.  He was my boss, colleague, and friend, seemingly ages ago - he was such a great, funny, supportive presence.  I remember traveling to Seoul for one ridiculous business trip, and essentially wandering around downtown one evening looking for a place to have dinner and, of course, not speaking a lick of Korean.  We found what looked like a cool, hopping restaurant...but we had come across some sort of giant, community fishing feast...and were seated at a shared table.  We proceeded to be served the most, and the spiciest, food (think: multiple giant whole fish with eye-melting chilis) across endless courses, and all the while, still not really knowing what we had gotten ourselves into......it was great to be there with Anthony.  We laughed (and cried, mostly due to peppers) through the meal for hours.  And this is just one silly story.

What a tragedy.  All my heart and thoughts with his family and friends.