GLENBURN – Richard Walter Gilman, 72, died March 21, 2011, surrounded by his loving family. He was the son of Donovan F. Gilman and Florence M. Hoyt (Gilman) Pooler.
An active member and elder of Bangor Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, he was baptized in 1954 and served as an elder for 38 years. He had a special love for life, for creation and for the one that created it. One of his most endearing qualities was his special brand of humor that he kept to the very end.
He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 53 years, Jacqueline A. (Messer) Gilman; three daughters, Melanie and Peter Davis of Bowdoin, Rhonda and Chris Hanson of Old Orchard Beach, and Dawn Marie and Pat Donnelly of Glenburn; his stepfather who he had an exceptional relationship with, Forrest H. Pooler; mother-in-law, Madeline E. Messer; sister, Marie and Charles Stegner of Bucksport; brother-in-law, Leroy E. Messer; nine grandchildren, Jessica, Jason, Chaz, Angie, Brian, Kristi “Puppy,” Jaclyn, Eric and Courtney; seven great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. He will also be missed by many dear friends who were like family to him. He was predeceased by his mother, Florence M. Pooler; sister, Evelyn Reichert; father, Donovan F. Gilman; son-in-law, Scott K. Brown; sister-in-law, Lorraine A. Roberts; and many loving aunts and uncles.
A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. April 2 at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 2029 Broadway, Bangor.