John N. Gilbert, Jr.

John N. Gilbert, Jr.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of John N. Gilbert, Jr., who peacefully departed this life on Saturday, December 2nd at the age of 85.

John was a devoted husband, loving father, and a caring business leader. He was born in 1938 and grew up on Woodridings Farm in North Stamford, CT before attending Trinity College School, in Port Hope, Ontario, Canada. After high school, John signed up for the Naval ROTC program and attended the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business. After graduation in 1960 with a BS in Economics, John fulfilled his naval commitment by serving two years in active duty on the island of Guam. John spoke fondly of all aspects of his military service - particularly the self-discipline he developed and the leadership skills he acquired. However, his service kept him away from the love of his life - Gillett (Jill) Hamilton Ayers of Riverside, CT who was his blind date at a party he threw in the summer of 1957.

After leaving the Navy, John and Jill got married in 1963 and soon after moved to Brooklyn Heights which was an easy commute to his job as a reinsurance broker at Holborn Corporation. While Holborn was small when he joined, John rose to become President over the next decade and spent the next 40 years building Holborn into a widely respected international company with over 60 employees. Along the way, John's expertise and business reputation earned many recognitions, such as Lloyd's of London's Broker of the Year award in 2003, and his role as an Officer of the Brokers and Reinsurance Markets Association. Most importantly, John fiercely guarded Holborn's independence and commitment to the colleagues that helped him build Holborn, choosing to keep Holborn in the hands of his employees with an ESOP rather than selling for top dollar to larger competitors.

John's abundant energy and great enthusiasm for social interaction carried through all aspects of his life. He was an active and engaged husband to Jill and father to his three children - John (Jock), Marcella and Tom. Perhaps nothing gave John more happiness than the embrace of family and physical activity together. The Gilberts frequently spent weekends and vacations at their family cabin in West Wardsboro, Vermont. Weekends away in Vermont often followed the same pattern. In the spring, summer, and fall it was physical work in the morning (maintaining the property and ensuring a well-stocked wood pile) followed by an outdoor activity such as swimming at a local swimming hole, followed by a family dinner and games. In the winter it was skiing all day, regardless of the weather, and spending evenings in front of a roaring fire. John's love of hard work, social engagement and the outdoors also carried over into the summers at Point O'Woods, Fire Island. Days at PO'W were spent gardening, tinkering to repair broken items, and an afternoon swim followed by dinner on the deck with family and friends. Whether at home in Brooklyn, Vermont or PO'W he always shared his passion for classical music with his family.

John's commitment also extended beyond his home, as he played an integral role in his communities, most notably in Brooklyn Heights. A man of varied passions, John believed that it was important to give back to the institutions that provided so much to his family and the community at large. In addition to his many philanthropic gifts, he served on the boards of Trinity College School, Barge Music, Exodus Transitional Community, and The Acting Company to name but a few. For over 50 years, he was an active member of Grace Church and the Heights Casino.

As John was quick to point out, none of his community, business or family activities would have been possible without the steadfast love and partnership of his wife, Jill. At every step of the way, Jill was an active partner and builder of their lives. In June of this year, family and friends had the opportunity to come together in Brooklyn to celebrate the strength of their enduring love at their 60th wedding anniversary.

John's legacy lives on through his children and grandchildren: John N. Gilbert, III and his children Kira and Jin; Marcella Ayers Gilbert Boelhouwer, her husband Pieter Boelhouwer and their children Willem, Charlotte and Juliet; and Thomas Edwards Gilbert and his wife Molly Barber and their children Kai and Thea.

A memorial service to celebrate John's life will be held at Grace Church, 254 Hicks Street, Brooklyn, NY on Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11 am. As we bid farewell to a man whose life touched many, we find solace in the memories that will forever resonate in our hearts.