Gerald “Jerry” “Bump” Gilbert, 77, passed away on Oct. 31 with his family by his side. The son of Benjamin Gilbert and Ida Kwastel Gilbert, Jerry was proud to be a New York native, born in the Bronx on Dec. 25, 1937.
He graduated from Machine and Metal Trade school in 1955 as a machinist. He joined the Army in 1957 as part of the Big Red One, serving two years active duty and two years in the Reserve.
Jerry married Kay Dodge Gilbert in 1964, and had their first daughter in New York (a Yankees fan) and later relocated to Maine where they had three more children (Red Sox fans). He was outnumbered, but remained a loyal Yankees fan to the end.
After moving to Maine, he worked as a cook at the Topsham Air Force Base until they closed. In 1967, he started working at Bath Iron Works as a tinsmith, where he worked until 1986. After his almost 20 years at BIW, he started a taxi business and car wash, K&J taxi/car care.
Jerry loved antique cars, car shows, and collecting model cars. He was very proud of all of the cars he had, and talked about them often. He attended Southern Maine Community College for culinary arts to pursue his passion for cooking. He loved to cook, had many favorite recipes, and always made Sunday dinners for the family. He was known for making great sauces and liver pate on Christmas.
Jerry loved music, antique cars, and was very proud to be a veteran with the Big Red One. He loved his Yankees and enjoyed his art. Recently, he enjoyed making art for people, and being part of a veteran community while living in Chicago this past year.
He was predeceased by his parents.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Kay; daughters, Susan (David) Vannah, Julie (Frank) Farias, and Margaret (Richard) Withee; son, Aaron (Angela) Gilbert; grandchildren, John, Emily, Alex, Tom, Lucas, Liam, Liliana, Noah, Elijah, and Jordyn; great-grandchildren, Harley, Eden, River and Jack; sister, Roslyn Greenberg; brothers-in-law, Michael (Joan) Mulkern, and Mark (Mary) Mulkern; nephews, Rich, Matthew, Kevin, Killan and Eamonn; niece, Pamela; and great-nephew, Benjamin.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Thurs., Nov. 5 at the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta. He will be laid to rest in the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery at a later date.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
