GERALD A. GILBERT

DEXTER – Gerald A. Gilbert, 85, died Jan. 25, 2008. He was born July 15, 1922, in Dexter, and was the last surviving child of Clement and Flora (Clukey) Gilbert. He attended Dexter schools. When he was a teenager, Gerald followed his older brother, Edward, to serve in the Civilian Conservation Corps, Washington County. He returned to Dexter to work for a time at Fay & Scott Machine Shop and local woolen mills. He served proudly and valiantly in the United States Army during World War II, receiving the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat and attaining the rank of staff sergeant. He survived as a Prisoner of War in Germany. Gerald was married in 1944 to Josephine (Broeg) Gilbert. The couple celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary in 2007. Upon returning from the war, Gerald worked once more at Fay & Scott and the local woolen mills. He expanded his proficiency and became a highly skilled millwright, spending the rest of his career working in the paper industry up and down the East Coast, from Georgia to the northern tip of Maine in Madawaska. Much of this work was contracted through Yankee Construction Co., from which Gerald retired in 1984. He was a member of United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America – Local 1996, Augusta. Gerald was a communicant of St. Anne’s Catholic Church, Dexter. He was a member of Cardinal Mercier Council 2625, Knights of Columbus and was a member of Poulliot-Seavey Post No. 53 of the American Legion. Gerald lived life with a clear sense of duty and responsibility, untiring dedication to both his family and his community, and an insightful fascination about the world. His sense of humor could light up a room and the ability to listen supportively brought a gentle kindness to all his relationships. He is survived by his wife, Josephine; son, Richard and his wife, Carolyn, of Dexter; daughter, Norma Leclair and her husband, Steven, of Gray; grandsons, Shane Gilbert of Auburn and Chad Gilbert and his wife, Valerie, of Whitefield; two sisters-in-law, Gladys Gilbert of Dexter and Dorothy Broeg of Stoneham, Mass.; as well as several nieces and nephews living in Dexter, throughout Maine, and all along the East Coast. During his retirement years, he had been particularly fond of his close circle of friends at the Log Cabin, Dexter. The family welcomes community members to meet with them 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31, at Crosby & Neal, 61 Main St., Dexter. A brief memorial service to celebrate Gerald’s life will be held 10 a.m. Friday at the same location. Spring committal services will be held at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Dexter. Memorial donations may be made to the Sunshine Club, care of Mrs. Nancy Bald-win, 59 Acadia St., Dexter, ME 04930. Those who wish may sign an online guest register at www.CrosbyNeal.com.