AUBURN — Gerard W. "GG" Gilbert, 87, a lifelong resident of Chisholm, passed away peacefully July 25, at the Hospice House of Androscoggin surrounded by his loving family.

He was born Jan. 29, 1927, in Chisholm, the son of Pierre Gilbert and Alice (Lacroix) Gilbert. He attended school in Jay.

He joined the U.S. Navy and served during World War II and then served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

On March 15, 1951, he married his wife of 63 years, Charleen Davis. They continued to live in the close-knit community of Chisholm where neighbors were like family, and everyone watched over each other's children like their own.

GG was a member of the Carpenters/Millwright Union, working construction most of his life and also worked as an electrician's helper with area electricians. After his retirement, he worked as a custodian at the Livermore Falls Primary School on Church Street.

GG was a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Church in Jay and a life member of the Frank L. Mitchell Post No. 3335 in Jay. He was proud of serving his country and supporting his VFW Post.

For years, Gerard and his family would visit Eustis to camp and fish. He had a true passion for fishing and would walk for miles to get to a great fishing spot. Gerard was an avid gardener and took great pride in his garden. He and Charleen also loved going to visit their son, Bill, and his family in Reno, Nev., saying they would be back in a few weeks that would sometimes turn into a few months. He loved spending time at his son, Billy's restaurant, "Beaujolais Bistro," getting to know the staff and welcoming customers and...making sure the restaurant met his standards!

GG was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and neighbor and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Charleen Gilbert of Jay; his daughter, Cynthia Gilbert and her companion, Wayde Reeve, of Jay; three sons, William Gilbert and his wife, Patricia, of Reno, Nev., Jeff Gilbert and his wife, Karen, of Jay, and Thomas Gilbert and his wife, Celine, of New Gloucester; 11 grandchildren, Carl Badeau and his wife, Lacy, Craig Badeau and his fiancée, Morgan Turner, Jessica Skidmore, Jillian Gilbert, Joel Gilbert and his wife, Melissa, Janna Gilbert, Jonathan Gilbert, Marc Gilbert and his wife, Ellen, Stephen Gilbert, Philip Gilbert and Hannah Gilbert; four great-grandchildren, Seth and Jenna Badeau and Noah and Evelyn Gilbert; his brothers, Paul Gilbert and his wife, Jean, and James Gilbert, all of Jay; his sister, Sally Beaudoin and her husband, John, of Livermore Falls; his sister-in-law; Anita Gilbert in Auburn; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his sons, John and Peter Gilbert, and brothers, Albert and Pierre Jr.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the Hospice House of Androscoggin for their loving and thoughtful care to Gerard during his time there.