"Happy Birthday Gare....miss you so much..."
Gary J. Gilbert, 55, of New Hope, died Friday in Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia.
Born in Philadelphia, PA, he was the son of the late Joseph T. and Catherine (nee Brennan) Gilbert.
He was a 1975 graduate of Cardinal Dougherty High School in Philadelphia, a 1979 graduate of St. Joseph University where he received his Bachelor Degree in Political Science, and completed his MBA at LaSalle University.
Until 2008, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Insurance Data Processing in Wyncote. He had over 30 years of experience in marketing and business administration. He was actively involved in the last few years as a business consultant with SCORE in Doylestown.
He remained interested in and active in his community, a mentor with Philadelphia Futures and a prominent figure in local theater. He performed with Jenkintown Players, Upper Dublin Players, and Kelsey Theater Group, as well as working in Abington and Methacton theater communities.
His life is distinguished by his humor, compassion, and generosity. He will be deeply missed.
He is the beloved father of Brenna C. Gilbert of Brooklyn, NY, Colleen D. Gilbert of Lafayette Hill, and Liam P. Gilbert of Blue Bell with their mother Rosina Carlino of Blue Bell. He is the cherished brother of Cathy Danz of Lower Gwynedd, Joseph T. Gilbert of Maple Glen, Lynne Doherty of Churchville, Denice Gorte of Narberth, Theresa Devlin of Lafayette Hill, and the late Gerald and David Gilbert, as well as a devoted uncle and godfather to his nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his dear friend Gessie Maglio.
Relatives and friends are invited to call Tuesday, February 19, 2013 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM and Wednesday, February 20 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at St. Anthony Of Padua Church, 259 Forest Ave., Ambler. Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM with Rev. Msgr. Stephen McHenry officiating. Interment will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham.
Remembrances in his name to Philadelphia Futures, 230 South Broad Street, 7th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102, www.philadelphiafutures.org would be appreciated by the family.
Tributes and photos may be shared at www.UrbanFuneralHome.com.
"Happy Birthday Gare....miss you so much..."
"I just found out about the death of Gary Gilbert. He was a GREAT friend of mine all through grade school at St. Williams. He had me over his house several times. God Bless him. He was the nicest friend I had known. I was always overweight as a kid and he always seen me as good guy. I?m so sorry for your loss and I will pray for him and to him! "
"I love you always gare..."
"Happy 59th birthday gare. miss you so much"
"happy birthday gare. i miss you everyday "
"I just saw Gary's obituary in the LaSalle Magazine. I remember Gary from musicals at the Mount many years ago. I didn't know him well but he was a kind, sweet young man. I'm sorry to hear of his passing at such a young age. His family and friends are in my prayers."
"The world is less bright for losing Gary. I had the pleasure of performing with him and being a witness to his talent, kindness, humor, and generosity of spirit. I will forever treasure all that I learned from him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Gary, may you rest in peace in the Lord's embrace.
"
"My deepest sympathy goes to Gary's 3 children and family. We met Gary at Christ Lutheran Church and were in a prayer group together for several years. Gary's journey and walk with the Lord Jesus has now led him home. May he find comfort in the light of the Lord. "
"Gary was one of my dearest friends during my years at CD. He was even my date for our junior prom. We spent hours standing at the corner of 2nd and Godfrey, talking, while he missed bus after bus so we could keep talking. To my great joy, we re-connected years later when I found his address in a CD alumni book. I sent him a card, and he replied with a lovely letter, telling me about his family, and the tragic loss of his brother, David. So much of what I loved about CD is wrapped up in memories of Gary, and I will always think of him with love. My deepest sympathy to his children."
"My deepest sympathy goes out to Gary's family and his many friends. I had the pleasure of acting with Gary onstage at the Kelsey Theatre. He was a talented actor and singer who gave 100% of himself in everything he did. He loved his children and was always positive and enthusiastic about life. He will be greatly missed. "
"Brenna, Colleen, and Liam, my deepest condolences on the passing of your father Gary. It was an honor to share the stage with him on several occasions. He was the consummate professional. He had an amazing voice and was totally humble as well. He will be sorely missed for both his talent and his infectious smile. May he rest in everlasting peace~"
"To Gary's Family ~ I have not seen Gary since high school; we were in the same graduating class of 1975 at Dougherty. I knew him from the plays. He was always kind and generous - a good soul - and funny too! It was a real pleasure knowing him. I am very sad to learn that he passed so young. He seems to have had a generosity of spirit in everything he did in life. From his role as Curly in "Oklahoma!" - "there's a bright golden haze on the meadow" ~ be at peace my friend. ~ Christine Blinebury Schwartz"
"Our deepest sympathy to all of the Gilbert Family Members. I regret that I have not seen Gary since childhood and only reconnected on Face Book a year ago. He was generous and charming, and obviously very talented. He will surely be missed by all who knew him. "
"My deepest sympathy goes out to the Gilbert Family and Friends. I had the honor of meeting Gary and his sister Cathy while prepping him for surgery. His kindness and personable nature was visible upon our brief encounter. He spoke so proudly of his children. I know he is sorely missed by them and I pray that their heartache will ease. Hang in there. ~Ilene Storck...RN from Temple "
"Dear Brenna, Colleen, and Liam, Gary was a kind man, warm and full of life. He adored you, his children, and was a great friend. He will be missed by so many. His spirit and great talents will live on in you. With deepest sympathy for your profound loss, Ginger Agnew and family "
"To Gary's family, My daughter, Marisa & I had the pleasure of meeting Gary through my sister, Gessie, he was always so happy, cheerful, kind, and spoke of his family frequently and lovingly. He will truely be missed. Warmest Regards, Maria Maglio"
"Cathy, Joe, Lynne, Denice, Terry, Brenna, Colleen, & Liam - Gary will be in our hearts forever. He was the kindest soul. We will miss him much and want to offer our condolences to all of you who were even closer to him. To us, there is no understanding this. All our love....Joe & Patty"
"I had the very great pleasure of working with Gary . He was always good humored, one of the nicest people I'd ever met and a true gentleman! IDP in his leadership changed my career... He will be missed...
My sincerest sympathy to his family & friends.
...Meeta Patel"
"Dear Brenna, Colleen, and Liam, We were so saddened to hear about your loss. Although we haven't seen you and your family in a while, we remember your father with great fondness. We loved his creativity and energy. Please know that all of us send our thoughts and prayers to you and yours at this difficult time. "
"Colleen, I didn't know your father but I know you from our trip to Central Europe and remember how gracious you were...In that respect you are very much your father's daughter since he sounds like a wonderful man with many talents and he lives on through you...My deepest sympathy to you and your family..."
"Dear Brenna and Colleen, I was so sad to hear of the death of your father. I remember him as such a lively and energetic person who took great pride in your accomplishments. I send my deepest condolences to you and your family in this time of grief. Most sincerely, Mme JoAnne Alexander"
"What Hope for Dead Loved Ones? "If a man die, shall he live again?" asked the man Job long ago. (Job 14:14, King James Version) Perhaps you, too, have wondered about this. How would you feel if you knew that a reunion with your loved ones was possible right here on earth under the best of conditions? Well, the Bible makes the promise: "Your dead ones will live. . . . They will rise up." And the Bible also says: "The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it."--Isaiah 26:19; Psalm 37:29. What a hope are dear God has given us"
"Gary will be sadly missed by his colleagues at SCORE Bucks County. His business experience, his deep, sympathetic understanding of human nature and his humor, made Gary an outstanding mentor for those who planned to start their own small business. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Tim Fielder Chairman, SCORE Bucks County."
"Gary, thank you for all you did for me. You gave me many opportunities in my career and mentored me along the way. I would not be where I am if it weren't for your kindness and knowledge. I will always be grateful. You and your family are in my prayers. May your eternal rest be peaceful, my friend. ...Bernie"