HAMPDEN – Llewellyn “Lew” Gilman Jr. passed away Aug. 18, 2011, at his home of 47 years in Hampden. Lew was born Nov. 29, 1929, in Old Town, son of the late Llewellyn and Myrtle Gilman.
Lew was a 1949 graduate of Old Town High School. He was trained by and worked for John Moore at Moore’s Machine Shop, where he earned the nickname of “Spook” and learned valuable mechanical skills he used throughout his life. After serving in the Air Force, Lew worked as an aircraft welder and machinist for the Maine Air National Guard at Dow Air Force Base for several years. He left the base to start his own businesses, including Rivers & Gilman Indian Brand Canoe Co., Hampden. While there he created the birch bark design for fiberglass canoes and conceived of the idea for some of the first ABS plastic canoes. In 1967 Lew co-found of the popular Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race. Lew never missed a race until 2011. For many years Lew was a fixture at the starting line. For the 25th anniversary of the race he and co-founder Ed “Sonny” Colburn paddled the route with their daughters. Lew went to work for Old Town Canoe in 1968, where he worked until his retirement. At Old Town Canoe he revolutionized the canoe industry by revamping the thermoforming process for ABS plastic canoes. He designed several canoes for the company, including the popular Tripper canoe. In 1989 he received a patent for the “CrossLink 3” process to rotationally mold what became the famous Discovery canoe line for Old Town Canoe. He was a member of the Society of Plastic Engineers, the Association of Rotational Molders and the Maine Engineering Society. Retirement was not a time for Lew to slow down. He continued to dream up concepts and tinker with new inventions, including a design for an oxygen hose reel that he worked on until his final days. Lew enjoyed the outdoors and had a particular love for Brandy Pond. He hunted and fished with many family and friends who remained close to him until his death.
Lew was predeceased by his loving wife of 55 years, Norma Gilman; brothers, Harold and Wayne Gilman; and his brother-in-law and wife, Roger and Bunny Randall. He is survived by his daughters, Laurie Gilman and her partner, Pam Famous, of North Yarmouth and Amy Gilman and her husband, John Arimond; grandchildren, Corina Arimond and Declan Arimond, all of Woodend, New Zealand; sister-in-law, Carol French of Lincoln; sister-in-law, Margaret Gilman of Timberlake, N.C.; several nieces and nephews.
Family and friends may visit 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24, at Hampden-Gilpatrick Funeral Home, 45 Western Ave., Hampden, where a time to share stories and reminisce about Lew will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 25. In lieu of flowers, Lew’s family suggests that memorial contributions be made to New Hope Hospice, P.O. Box 757, Eddington, ME 04429, in appreciation of the wonderful care given to him in his final months. Messages of condolence and memories may be shared through
www.hampdengilpatrick.com.