Richard Gilbert

Richard "Dick" Gilbert of Old Saybrook, and formerly of Simsbury, passed away at YNHH on Labor Day, September 4, 2023, with his beloved stepdaughter by his side. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Gilbert, of Old Saybrook. Dick and Marilyn were high school sweethearts who reconnected after both had married, raised a family, and lost their respective partners. They were blessed with 32 joyful years together.

Born on Mother's Day, May 12, 1929 to Cecile Marie Michaud and Eugene Gilbert, Richard was the sixth of nine children and was preceded in death by all his brothers and sisters: LaRena, Raymond, Roland, Eugene, Robert, Doris, Eleanor, and Marilyn. Richard was married to his first wife, Pauline Della Morris, for 36 years until her untimely death in 1989. Together they built a loving home in Simsbury where they raised five children: Patricia George of Granby, Peter Gilbert of West Simsbury, Cecile Lashar of Little Rock, AR, Carolyn Ciak of Little Rock, AR, and Suzanne Pelletier of Wilsons, VA. All of his children survive him as do nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his stepfamily: Stephen Tareila of Old Saybrook, Deborah Wynn of Branford, and Michael Tareila of Brooklyn, ME and their 4 children who knew him lovingly as grandpa. One step grandson, Mark, had his own special name, Chief.

After proudly serving in the U.S. Army, Dick started Gilbert Plumbing & Heating which serves the Farmington Valley. From 1956-1966 Dick was a member of the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Department and served as Company President from 1962-1963. The comradery and friendships he formed there were lifelong. An avid Boston Red Sox and New York Giants fan, he was always optimistic that this would be the year.

Anyone who ever conversed with Dick for even half an hour would have thought they had been friends for years. He was charismatic, witty, and always cheerful. That's why he was an easy man to like and a great man to have loved.

A private family celebration of his wonderful life will be held. In honor of his memory, do something nice for a stranger and watch their reaction. He'd get a chuckle out of it.