Gilbert "Lilo" Geilim

Geilim, Gilbert "Lilo" (73)
Was born August 17, 1928 in Havana, Cuba. He passed away in his home on January 29, 2002 with his loving wife and children at his side. Gilbert is survived by his loving wife Violet of 52 years, his two sons Gilbert and Glenn Geilim and his daughters, Brenda Geilim-Alfonso and Claudia Geilim-Duzian all of Los Angeles. He leaves behind five grandchildren, Mark Anthony, Zachary, Sofia, Victoria-Ashley and Vivian-Taylor, they will all dearly miss their "Pipa". Gilbert was born in Havana in 1928 and was forced to leave revolutionary Cuba in 1933. The family moved to Gijon, Spain where they lived until the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. They escaped from Spain during the bombing of the city in 1936 through Biarritz, France eventually arriving in New York City in 1938. Gilbert and his parents moved to Los Angeles in 1942. During his early years he was a member of the "Miguelito Valdez Orchestra" one of the first performing Latin bands in the United States. He married his true love, Violet in 1950 and later and for the next 40 years worked for Thrifty Corp. During this period he was very active in union affairs helping to organize workers for the International Longshoreman's Union (ILWU) where he struggled to improve the working conditions of his fellow worker's. His love, friendship and counsel will be sorely missed by his family and friends who knew him. "Lilo" you will be greatly missed. A memorial service will be held at Gates Kingsley Gates 4220 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Culver City, CA 90230 on Sunday February 3, 2002 at 2:00P.M.