John A. Gilbert

WEEKI WACHEE, Fla. -- John A. Gilbert, 77, of Weeki Wachee, Fla., passed away on Friday, June 14, 2019 after a long battle with heart disease with his loving family at his side. He is the husband of Rae L. Gilbert, with whom he shared 52 years of marriage. Mr. Gilbert was a native and longtime resident of Lynn. He attended and graduated from Lynn schools before graduating from Burdett Accounting School in 1962. From there he joined the Army National Guard where he attended the officer's academy, and he served as a second lieutenant during the years of the Vietnam War. He graduated from Northeastern University with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting in 1973. He spent his professional career as an accountant in notable firms as Foster Grant Corporation and the Polaroid Corporation. John was Past Master of the Bethlehem Lodge A.F. & A.M., a member of Mt. Carmel Lodge A.F. & A.M., and an affiliate of Golden Fleece Lodge A.F & A.M. He was district grand secretary of the Lynn Eighth Mason District, past high priest of Sutton Royal Arch Chapters, a member of Olivet Commandery, and Scottish Rite Valley of Salem. John was also an affiliate with the Philanthropic lodge A.F. & A.M. After John retired, he served for several years as the building manager of the Lynn Masonic Temple on Market Street in Lynn. He was instrumental in many building renovations.  John lived a full life and had many interests. He took several trips to Europe with his wife Rae and lifelong friends. He loved collecting stamps and coins. He loved history and he traced his family ancestry back to 900 A.D. He shared those interests with his grandchildren. He was well known amongst family and friends for his love of gardening. He had beautiful Hybrid Lilies and Iris at his former Lynn home. He loved playing Chess and Cribbage, and had become an avid Canasta player with his new Florida friends. He was a quiet, honest man full of integrity and so loved by his family. He loved the Florida weather and birdwatching while sitting in the lanai at his Florida home. In addition to his loving wife Rae, John is survived by their three children and their spouses, Sharon and Randy Driscoll of Wilmington, N.C., Todd and Janet Gilbert of Beverly, and Jonathan and Elizabeth Gilbert of Wells, Maine. His six cherished grandchildren, Taylor and Chad Driscoll, Jacob and Madison Gilbert, and Kathryn and Sean Gilbert. His sister, Susan and her husband Walter Holcomb of Ipswich. His special brother-in-law, Scott Herald of Bellair Bluffs, Fla. His sister-in-law, Bernadette Gilbert of Lynn.  His special cousin, Judy Herald of Weeki Wachee, Fla. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his two brothers Kenneth and Donald Gilbert. Service information: John's memorial visitation will be in the CUFFE-MCGINN Funeral Home, 157 Maple St., Lynn, on Saturday, July 20, 2019 from 9-11 a.m. There will be a Celebration of Life service in the funeral home beginning with a masonic service at 11 a.m. Interment will be in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, West Peabody. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. In lieu of flowers donations in John's memory may be made to the Thomas Todd Scholarship c/o Mt. Carmel Lodge, P.O. Box 1377, Saugus, MA 01906. To share an online condolence please visit www.cuffemcginn.com.