John McIver Gignilliat passed away February 3, 2026 at Riverview Health and Rehabilitation Center following a short illness. John was born in Atlanta on February 21, 1945 to John McIver Gignilliat and Ruth Lenore Brannen Gignilliat. He was a lifelong Savannah resident and a proud Jenkins High School graduate.
Following an Honorable Discharge from the U. S. Marine Corps John worked at the Savannah Evening Press until its closure. His retirement years were chiefly occupied by rescuing and rehoming feral cats particularly in the midtown Savannah area. John had a talent for gaining trust of these strays.
John is survived by brothers Larry H. (Marilyn) of Savannah and Van V. of Mobile, Alabama. He also leaves fond memories with nieces, nephews, cousins and numerous friends. John was a fixture at Lafayette Square on St. Patrick’s Day.
Cremation has taken place. Honoring John’s request, there will be no services or visitation. His life will be celebrated privately at a later date. We are forever grateful to the Powers family ,especially Robbie and Andy, for taking John under their wings and making his later years untroubled.
Those choosing to remember John may make a donation in his name to the Islands Feral Cat Project, P. O. Box 30327, Savannah, GA 31410.
https://islandsferalcatproject.org/donate/
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J P Keating jr
John will be missed. But not forgotten.
Cheryl Lauer
John was a bright light at Savannah Evening Press, always great with a joke.
I loved seeing John riding his bike around town.
What a great guy for caring for the cats and being a friend at the newspaper.
John, you will be missed.
Kay Williams Graves
I shared an office with John at the News-Press for several years. He was a lovely friend, and will be missed.
Tom Barton
So sorry to hear the news. I sat near John in the newsroom at 111 W. Bay St. he was a brilliant copy editor, headline writer and layout man. Never missed a deadline. For years, he single handedly put out the weekly TV section, known as the “green sheets” for the color of the newsprint. John didn’t have a car and rode his bike and cart, called “the Gen’l Lee” all over town. One day he was riding down Habersham Street in a busy stretch in Ardsley Park when a cat’s head peeked out of a roadside culvert. John stopped, laid down his bike then he got down on his stomach and rescued the cat. That was the beginning of a long, caring relationship between a sweet man and Savannah’s stray cats. RIP, John. You will be missed and remembered.
Anne Bidez
Yes, that was John.
Terry O. Charles
I will always smile and enjoy my fond memories of John. Very grateful to God for bringing him into my life. 😞❤️🙏
Cleve Williams
John Gigniliat was forever immortalized at Spanky’s River Street with the prestigious John Gignilliat award .
Rest in peace, my most ingenious friend
Cleve Williams
Alan Roach
Dear John,Your laugh was infectious and your smile was a beacon to guide on ! As a fellow former Marine , you had a wonderful sense of humor about the grim reality of life ! Thanks for being a friend!
Leslie Demopoulos-Sims
John will be missed by many people in Savannah. I’ll always cherish wonderful memories of John when we both lived on 36th St and of course all the crazy fun parties over the years. RIP dear John.