Big response today for benefit in Albion for Kyle Gill

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Kyle Gill, left, is shown this afternoon with his daughter Rylee and Kyle’s dad, Ray Gill, during a benefit for Kyle at Dubby’s Tailgate. More than 100 gift baskets, and many larger items were up for raffle.

Kyle, 35, is fighting stage 2 stomach cancer. He has surgery scheduled for Jan. 17 to remove most of his stomach.

Gill is the assistant store manager at Ace Hardware in Albion. He hasn’t been in the store working since July due to his illness and chemotherapy. He is down about 100 pounds and the chemo caused him to lose his distinctive beard.

He said he was grateful to see so many people turn out today, especially the many customers who he used to see so frequently in the store.

These bracelets were available to help Kyle Gill with the costs of his medical care.

Kyle started working for Jerry Ulrich at the Ace Hardware in Lockport when Kyle was 15. He has been in the Albion store the past 15 years, often in the plumbing section, mixing paint and in the back doing window repairs.

Kyle said he wasn’t feeling well back in May, and then was a diagnosed with an ulcer. That ulcer ultimately led to the cancer being detected. Gill said that ulcer likely saved his life and allowed him to get treatment and shrink the cancer.

The Ace Hardware team at today’s benefit includes, front row, from left: Vinnie Tarricone, Lisa Beam, Kyle Gill, Mark Luft, Jed Standish and Jessica Fox. Back row: Bryan Vagg, Hanna Vagg, Lindsy Yeager, Pete Pilon, Molly Jones, Jerry Ulrich, Stew Walck, Jessica Pilon and Renee Colonna.