Allen E. Gilmore

Allen E. Gilmore "Al" passed away peacefully on Oct. 29, 2011 after a brief illness. In his final days he was surrounded by 3 generations of his family, who he loved dearly. He was 80 years old. A California native and life-long bay area resident, Al Gilmore was born in Santa Rosa in 1930 to Edward and Kathryn Toponce Gilmore. He lived in Sebastopol and graduated Petaluma High School in 1948. He was happy that he and a dear friend recently attended his class's 63rd and final reunion. In 1949, Al began working for Bank of America; in 1951 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy proudly serving aboard the USS Rogers in Korea and the Far East along with his brother Darrell, who preceded him in death. Al enjoyed playing baseball with his brother and other sailors on the Navy's Mare Island team. In 1953, Al married Laura Kohler and together they raised four children. Al returned to the BofA where he held various positions in cities around the bay area. In 1989 he retired as the VP/Manager of the Santa Rosa main branch after 40 years. Al was a 20-yr member and past president of the Santa Rosa Golf and Country Club. In 1996 he and Laura moved to Sun City Roseville where he enjoyed the active golf-retirement community and to "play 18" whenever he could. Al was a 15-yr member and past VP and president of Sun City Roseville's Timber Creek Men's Golf Club. Although golf became his passion, Al still enjoyed baseball after the Navy. He took his kids to SF Giants games at Candlestick Park, watched his son Jim and grandson Jon play ball as kids and adults, and went to games with the family at AT&T Park. Allen is survived by Laura, his wife of 58 years and their 4 children, Kathy Gilmore, Robert Gilmore, James Gilmore of Santa Rosa and Debra Gilmore of Benicia; 7 grandchildren, Donna Bade-Diaz of San Francisco, Christopher Bade, Jonathan Bade, Jennifer Gilmore, Sarah Gilmore, Kyle Gilmore, and Scott DiMaggio; 2 great-grandchildren, Gloria Bade and Aiden Gilmore, all of Santa Rosa. Funeral services and a celebration of his life will be held Sat, Nov. 19th at 2 p.m. at Santa Rosa Memorial Park, 1900 Franklin Ave, Santa Rosa CA 95404. In lieu of flowers, friends may make donations to the American Lung Association, 424 Pendleton Way, Oakland, CA 94621.