CAROL BANKART GILMORE

CHARLESTON and ORONO – Dr. Carol Bankart Gilmore, 71, retired professor of business management at the University of Maine and owner of Windrift Farm, Charleston, passed away peacefully May 9, 2012, from a massive stroke. She was born Dec. 18, 1940.

Dr. Gilmore taught at the university from 1977 until the end of the fall 2011 semester. In 2006, she was awarded the university’s Presidential Public Service Achievement Award. In her many years at UMaine she served on numerous committees and councils including the Athletic Advisory Committee and Distinguished Lecture Series Committee. She will be remembered in the thousands of students she taught and in the many professors she mentored. She also had been a visiting professor at Maine Maritime Academy, and taught at Greenfield (Mass.) Community College, Northfield-Mount Hermon (Mass.) School and Nashua (N.H.) High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Connecticut College, where she also played varsity field hockey, a Master of Education in educational administration and economics from Keene (N.H.) State College, a Master of Science in labor studies from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where she also earned her doctorate in business administration specializing in industrial relations and human resource management. Dr. Gilmore was a member of American Arbitration Association, Society of Professionals in dispute resolution, Academy of Management and the Industrial Relations Research Association. As a mediator, a union steward and representative, and as the employee representative on Maine Labor Relations Board, she brought peace to our work world and the state. She was a former member of Maine Board of Pharmacy and Maine State Board of Arbitration and Conciliation. She had served the Associated Faculties of the University of Maine System – AFUM for many years. She was a recognized expert in labor relations and willingly lent her time and talent to many Maine towns and organizations in an effort to help others. She continued this work by leading numerous workshops and seminars and publishing articles on various workplace issues. As one friend and colleague said, “we’ve lost a fighter for justice, a sage and a protector.” As a lover of animals, especially her devoted Elmo, Sammy, Mr. Goodbar, and her cats, and as a member of State Board of Licensure for Vets, she was a serious advocate for the humane treatment of animals. She was a member of Penobscot Kennel Club, American Kennel Club and Northern New England Basset Hound Rescue League. She was very proud of her AKC Champions: basset hound, Dudley; and otterhound, Snuggy. Her contributions to Page Farm and Home Museum, Wellspring Halfway House for Women, YWCA of Bar Harbor, Literacy Volunteers of Maine and Bangor, Hospice of Eastern Maine have established those places as community resources. She was a lifelong Episcopalian having been baptized by the bishop in Boston and attended St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Brewer, when she was able.

She is survived by her pets; as well as dear friends, Martha Broderick of Lincoln and her daughters, and Rob and Mary Cady of Orono and their children.

A memorial service for Dr. Gilmore is being planned for the early fall. Donations in her memory may be made to Wellspring, 98 Cumberland St., Bangor, ME 04401; or the humane society or animal shelter of your choice.