John Gillingham motivated others to get outside and do sports.
DENVER – Family and friends of longtime fitness and recreation expert John Gillingham meet in Washington Park this weekend.
You are finally able to celebrate the life of someone who brought people together through the art of training. Gillingham died on July 10, 2020 at the age of 92 and after waiting for COVID restrictions the group finally has a chance to honor him.
“Just a celebration to remember all the wonderful times he had with us,” said friend Fred Ward. “We have a celebration of life here in Washington Park … that’s actually his wish in his will, and he left money.”
Originally from England, Gillingham moved to Denver in the 1960s as part of a fitness initiative for the YMCA downtown. In the 1970s, he helped design one of the first outdoor fitness trails in Washington Park.
Gillingham was also known for his athletic conditioning work with the Denver Broncos and the training of former Colorado Governor Dick Lamm. In the mid-1980s, he had his own fitness TV show that aired on location.
After 63 years of training, Gillingham retired from the Colorado Athletic Club in 2018, where he served as the outdoor fitness coordinator. He celebrated his 90th birthday with one last workout, but Gillingham died two years later.
“John was 92 years old and unfortunately had some breathing problems. He went to the hospital and they found a tumor and he died soon after,” said Ward.
“Honestly shocked,” added Booth. “We thought he was going to be 100 years old and whatever about the man was amazing.”
Frank Ward and RJ Booth met in the 1990s at one of Gillingham’s training sessions called “Serious Fun” – a mix of rigorous workouts and lots of laughter.
The two friends said it was their connection with a close-knit group of outdoor enthusiasts.
“We’ve done river trips where we spent a week canoeing in Montana, Utah, and you have to be pretty close to spend a week canoeing on campsites with people,” Booth said. “One of the things he always said was, ‘I’m not trying to make life longer by moving, I have a zest for life and I want other people to have that and be outside,” added Ward.
Recently, a bench in Wash Park just outside the entrance to the recreation center was named in Gillingham’s honor – a place he would visit to exercise.
“This bank will be here for 20 years,” said Ward. “When his daughters found out that particular bank was available, they grabbed it.”
The celebration of Gillingham’s life will attend generations of outdoor exercisers connected by a man who motivated others like Ward and Booth.
“The friendships and the bonding were just amazing,” said Ward. “(And) we are therefore friends.”
The John Gillingham Celebration of Life takes place in Washington Park on Sunday, June 6th. The organizers ask anyone who wants to meet on the east side of the park, roughly where East Kentucky and South Franklin Streets meet.
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