PROSPECT – James D. “Jake” Gilbert, 72, died Sunday, July 31, 2011, at his residence. He was born Aug. 21, 1938, in New Haven, Conn., son of James D. and Mary Elizabeth (Greist) Clyne.
Jake attended schools in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maine. He served eight years in the Army. For many years he worked for A.J. Cole Tire, and was most recently employed by Freightliner of Maine as tire manager. Jake had a great love for his family and his church. His love for ministry, and occasional preaching, along with opening the Sunday morning service with a scripture for the week, was his calling to God.
Jake is survived by his wife of 38 years, Betty (White-Kennard) Gilbert of Prospect; two natural children, Beorgia Oclik and James Firlik; and four children, Tori Valente and husband, Tony, Allen Kennard and wife, Ok Chong, Richard Kennard and wife, Tammy, and Christine Mishou and husband, Wayne. Jake has 11 grandchildren, Scott Kennard, Erick Kennard, Stephanie Baird, Stanley “Chip” Lanphier III, Elizabeth Kennard, Krista-Lee Phillips Kennard, Allen Wayne Kennard, Adrianna Kennard, Kyle Firlik, Avery Firlik and Kelsey Firlik. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren, James Allen Kennard, Xander Scott Kennard, Cadence Kennard, Myresa Jones, Alice Marie Baird and Alex Baird; three brothers, Robert Vigeant, Frederick G. Gilbert and Matthew Gilbert; along with one sister, Elenor Weise. Jake was predeceased by his mother, Mary (Griest) Gilbert; father, James Dennis Clyne; stepfather, Frederick B. Gilbert; stepfather, Lionel Vigeant; brother, Warren Vigeant; daughter, Deborah Lanphier; and grandson, Christopher “C.J.” Kennard.
There will be no visitation hours. His funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5, at the family residence, 358 North Searsport Road, Prospect. Food and fellowship will be after at Prospect Community Center. In lieu of flowers and due to financial hardship, the family asks that donations be given at the service or mailed to Charlene White, 137 Swanville Road, Frankfort, ME 04438. Arrangements are under the direction of Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Bucksport.