Richard Lionel "Dick" Gilbert

1929 - 2023

Richard was born in Hartford on May 12, 1929 to Cecile Marie Michaud and Eugene Gilbert. The sixth child of nine, he was predeceased by his parents, brothers and sisters LaRena, Raymond, Roland, Eugene, Robert, Doris, Eleanor and Marilyn. He fondly shared stories of his childhood growing up in Hartford. Richard served his country in the U.S. Army.

On October 17, 1953 he married Pauline Della Morris in Plainville, CT only to be separated 36 years later with her passing in 1989. During their time together they built a loving home, raised five children to whom he was a truly wonderful father and started Gilbert Plumbing & Heating which proudly served the Farmington Valley. He provided for Pauline and his children in an extraordinary way. In 1956, he joined the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Department and served as Company President from 1962-1963. He volunteered 10 years serving the community and forming lifetime friendships.

Richard enjoyed day trips to the beach and diving head on into the waves. He loved playing cards, spending hours teaching his children and grandchildren how to play and those Friday night poker games with "the boys". His love for baseball and football made him an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and a faithful New York Giants fan, he would say "this just might be their year!" Traveling with Pauline, family events, weddings, birthdays, Cape Cod vacations, Sunday dinners and Memorial Day picnics at Camp Hi Hoti were all truly enjoyed and made him a proud family man.

Richard remarried Marilyn Tareila in 1992 and resided in Old Saybrook until his passing.

He is survived by his five children, Patricia and her husband Steven George of Granby, CT, Peter Gilbert and his wife Cynthia of West Simsbury, CT, Cecile Lashar of Little Rock, AR, Carolyn and her husband Jack Ciak of Little Rock, AR, and Suzanne and her husband David Pelletier of Wilsons, VA. "Papa" to nine grandchildren, Jason Gilbert, Jennifer Rollo, Joshua Gilbert, Andrew Beliveau, Adam Lashar, Ryan Ciak, Ashley-Pauline Moore, Carly Lashar, Olga Ciak and nine great-grandchildren, Zachary, Haley and Mackenzie Gilbert, Jackson and Emma Gilbert, Maddox, Zoe and Emmett Beliveau, Ziggy Moore and his family continues to grow!

Richard was a charismatic, witty, funny and loving man who always had a smile, stories to tell and laughter to share.

Please join his family at 2:00 pm on Saturday September 9, 2023 for a Celebration of Life and share your fond remembrances of Dick. Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company Clubhouse 30 Town Forest Road, West Simsbury, 06092. Memorial donations may be made in Richard's honor to The Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company, 871 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT 06070