Harvey John Gilbert

Harvey John Gilbert, 72, passed away peacefully on August 31, surrounded by his family in Savannah, GA. Born and raised in Savannah, Harvey graduated from Savannah Country Day in 1971 and was a proud member of the school's only State Championship football team. Following in the footsteps of his father and brother, he attended the University of North Carolina, where he studied history, cheered for his beloved Tar Heels, and met the love of his life. He married his wife, Cindy, in 1977, and together they raised two children, Mary and John.
Harvey devoted fifty years to his real estate practice, building a reputation for a keen intellect and uncompromising integrity. Beginning his career under the tutelage of his father, he held leadership positions in a national real estate firm and the real estate arms of a Big-Six accounting firm and Fortune 100 company. In 2003, Harvey realized his dream of launching his own business with his partner of 22 years, Stephen Ezelle, and later his son, John. He dedicated his career to promoting sustainable development throughout his native Coastal Georgia region, earning numerous accolades and awards. Harvey was a leader in the Savannah community, serving on a number of boards and civic organizations, including the Rotary Club of Savannah, the Executives Association of Savannah, the Savannah Area Realtors Commercial Alliance, Senior Citizens, Inc., and others.
Harvey never met a stranger. He had an innate ability to connect with people of all ages from all walks of life. A well-known raconteur, Harvey was a gifted storyteller and was often found regaling friends and family with tales that grew taller over time. He loved showing off his home town to visitors on his one-of-a-kind walking tours and had a story about nearly every building in downtown Savannah and the colorful characters who lived and worked there.
Sports and games shaped Harvey's life and he spent his down time on the football field, basketball court, soccer field, tennis court, or croquet lawn with his friends, kids, and grandkids. During holidays and family trips, he officiated "La Competition," a multi-generational, multi-day, multi-sport contest (that only occasionally ended in tears). He often prevailed in epic ping-pong matches in the garage and hard-fought games of Horse in the driveway. He spent each March glued to March Madness, cheering for the Tar Heels (and against the Duke Blue Devils). And he spent some of his favorite days fly fishing with John and his friends.
Harvey was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Bryson Gilbert and Jane Joyce Gilbert, and brother, Thomas Bryson Gilbert, Jr. He is survived by his beloved wife, Cynthia Thompson Gilbert; children, Mary Gilbert Kaiser (James) and Harvey John Gilbert, Jr. (Bailee); sister, Marnell Gilbert Sanford; brother-in-law, Gary Edward Thompson (Betsy); sister-in-law, Anne Thompson Sullivan (Dennis); niece, Catherine Corish Grant (Scott) and her family; and cherished grandchildren: Henry Gilbert Kaiser, Emma Anne Kaiser, Margaret Marnell Gilbert, and Thomas Archer Gilbert. They will treasure memories of their BeeBop dancing (a bit goofily) to Motown music, transforming into the Tickle Monster, reading Ping, and sharing his wisdom by telling delightful stories about his life and loved ones and creating new ones together. A friend and mentor to many, Harvey will be remembered as the quintessential Southern gentleman with a huge heart, iron will, and competitive streak that occasionally got him into trouble but never for long.
A visitation will take place at Fox & Weeks Hodgson Chapel on Friday September 5th from 4:00 to 6:30 PM with a Rosary service to follow. A funeral service will be held at Christ Church Episcopal on Saturday September 6th at 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to ARTS Southeast and Elevate Savannah, organizations advancing causes that were dear to Harvey.