Obituary of Gerald M Gilbert

=Gerald M. Gilbert, a veteran of World War II, passed away at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House on Saturday, February 10, 2018. The beloved husband of Lucette (Teissie) he was 95 years old. Gerry was born in Boston. He was the son of the late George and Gertrude Gilbert. Gerry’s dad was a Salesman who traveled throughout the United States so for a period of time Gerry lived in New York, Chicago and California before moving to the Boston area. Gerry was a veteran of World War II serving his country in the United States Army. He trained in England and Ireland. He fought engagements in Tunisia, Sicily Normandy and France. Gerry was the recipient of the Eastern African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. It was while Gerry was stationed in France, in a small town called Etampes, that he would meet his future wife Lucette Teissie. They were married in 1945 which was also the year that his tour of duty was completed with the Army. After the War Gerry operated civilian restaurants in Paris for the US Government, worked on the Champs Elysses and for the famed French Geryais Ice Cream Firm. Gerry and Lucette moved to the United States in 1946 and settled in Malden. They would eventually move to Woburn and then built their home in Burlington in 1954. Gerry had a successful career in the restaurant industry. His first job was at the age of 14 as a dishwasher. He worked as a General Manager of Valle’s Steak House for several years before becoming a partner in Friends and Company, a family restaurant located on State Street in Boston. He took pride in his as a Chef spending hours each day researching new menu ideas. Gerry worked hard to provide for his family. Working in the restaurant industry was a demanding career with long hours. But Gerry loved to interact with people and it was the perfect field for him to work in. Not one to sit idle after retiring from the restaurant field, Gerry worked at Siemens Nixdorf in Burlington. He was the past president of the Food and Beverage Executives of Boston and a member of the Epicurean Club of Boston which was America’s oldest Professional Chef’s Association. Gerry was an outgoing and generous man. Once he met you he never forgot your name. Even during his last days at Winchester Hospital and the Sawtelle Hospice House he would remember all the nurses and care takers names. He always wanted to hear about you and what was going on in your life. During his retirement years he would spend every morning having coffee at Sammy’s on Winn Street with his good friend and neighbor Sam Restivo. In his leisure Gerry enjoyed visiting museums in New York with a keen interest in entomology. Gerry was a devout Catholic and a longtime member of St. Margaret’s Parish in Burlington. Gerry and Lucette were fixtures at the 7:30 AM Mass on Sunday for many years. Nothing brought Gerry more joy than seeing the birth of a new grandchild or great grandchild. He was always present at all the special times in their lives. Gerry’s greatest legacy was his 72 year marriage to Lucette. That was his greatest pleasure and he was blessed to see that the family values he lived by throughout his life instilled in his children, with all of them having long and loving marriages. Gerry was the beloved husband of Lucette (Teissie). He was the devoted father of Ann-Marie Luhrs & her husband Henry of Chelmsford, Christine Gilbert & her husband Michel Bastarache of Malden and Jack Gilbert & his wife Sharon of Burlington. Loving and proud grandfather of Michael Luhrs & his wife Lee Ann of FL, Robert Luhrs & his wife Michelle of Washington, DC, Thomas Luhrs & his wife Ellen of Westford, Michelle Gilbert & her fiancé Jon Hayden of Woburn, Brett Gilbert of Allston, and Benjamin Pong, U.S. Navy, North Carolina. Great grandfather of Alexander, Bethany, Bennett, Hayden and Cadia. Brother of the late Norman Gilbert and Gladys Lantz. Funeral from the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95 Woburn side) on Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 10 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church in Burlington at 11 a.m. Visiting hours Tuesday 5-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Gerry’s name may be made to St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington, MA 01803.