Gilbert Paquette Obituary

Gilbert (Gil) Paquette, 75, of Thousand Palms, Calif. passed away September 6, 2010, at home with his family by his side, of natural causes. He was born April 24, 1935, to Leo and Evelyn (Day) Paquette at Mi Casita Hospital in Indio, Calif. He attended Palm Springs High School, graduated from Palm Valley Private School's first graduating class. He earned his BA degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada. He married Janine Connor on July 24, 1982 in Palm Springs, Calif. He served in the U.S. Air Force in Japan from 1955-1959 and won the "Tops in Blues" (Tenor) singing contest. He was founder and co-owner of Gil's Drive-in Liquor & Deli in Rancho Mirage in the 1960's for 17 years with his first wife, Nancy Sweeney. He later owned Century 21 Encore Realty in Cathedral City. He served as Mobile Home Commissioner, Council Member and Mayor of Cathedral City. He was a member of Knights of Columbus and Elks Club for several years. He is survived by his wife, Janine Paquette of Thousand Palms, Calif.; his sons, Daniel (Sonia) Paquette of Temecula, Calif., Ron (Valerie) Paquette of South Carolina and step-son Dan Whitman of Cathedral City, Calif.; his sister, Jureen Herzig of Las Vegas, Nev.; his brother, Paul (Christine) Herzig of Coudersport, Pa.; and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Nicole Rene Paquette. Celebration of Life will be at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, September 11, 2010 at St. Louis Catholic Church, Cathedral City. The family suggests donations to Orphan Pet Oasis (760-329-0203) or Family Hospice, 255 N. El Cielo #300, Palm Springs, CA 92262.

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Published by The Desert Sun from Sep. 10 to Sep. 15, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Gilbert Paquette

11 Entries

Bob Mills

September 20, 2023

Gill and I were very close friends while going to Riverside Community College. In 1962 he sang the Hawaii Love Song in a duo with Shirley Espinosa at my wedding. He had great talent then and we all knew that he would have a great life ahead of him. What a terrific guy!

janine paquette

September 21, 2010

dearest gil, i miss "us" together so much. you added so much to my life. 30yrs seems like just yesterday, it went fast because we just had fun in whatever.as long as we both were doing itogether/ no more together.its just wrong. je teme boco gilbere.

Gloria Murray

September 19, 2010

Dear Janine,

I am so sorry to hear about Gil's passing. They tell us he is in a better place and is not suffering anymore. I do believe this, but it doesn't help us from missing them ever so much.

Janine, you helped me so much during Ed's illness & afterwards as well. I'll never be able to thank you enough.

I do know that we have developed a beautiful & loving friendship that I
treasure.

Love you,
Gloria

Kiti Laisure

September 14, 2010

Dear Janine, I was so sorry to read about Gil's passing. I always thought he was such a fair councilman for Cathedral City. I know only too well what you are now going through. Take care of yourself during this period of mourning. I lost Jack last year and the first year is really hard to get through. Kiti Laisure

September 10, 2010

Janine: Our sincere condolences to you and your family on the death of your husband.
Art & Linda Francis

Christine Herzig

September 10, 2010

I certainly found a "treasure" in you. I'm thankful for the time we had together from the wedding celebrations to our houseboat adventure. I am proud to call you my brother in law and will miss your charming smile.

Jill DeFratis Robinson

September 10, 2010

Wishing you the warmest condolences during this difficult time. Uncle Gil was a wonderful person and I feel fortunate to call him family. Sending you our loving thoughts.

September 10, 2010

Janine, Gil and you have been close to Maxine and myself for a long time. Gil was my best friend in the desert area. I have so many wonderful memories of our time together. My sympathy to you, Danny and Ron (Wayne and Maxine Biddlingmeier)

September 10, 2010

Janine,
My sincere sympathy on the loss of your husband, Gil. Please take extra special care of yourself. You both will be in my prayers.
Janet Kowalski Perkowski (Paul's sister-in-law)
Wellsboro, PA

Joanna Cossman

September 10, 2010

I am grateful of all the celebrations I got to share with my "New Uncle Gil". You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Daniel Paquette

September 10, 2010

You have been a wonderful father. Thank you for a lifetime of experiences and memories of love and family. You gave me my sense of adventure and discovery, and taught me how to be a good father. I will miss you dearly. -Daniel Paquette (son)

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