Obituary of Myron L. Gilbert

Myron L. Gilbert, 85, of 126 Midgley St. Jamestown, passed away at 11:12 a.m. Monday, November 14, 2016, in his home following a lengthy illness. His strength and courage showed the true character of the man he was. An area resident for most of his life, he was born November 9, 1931 in South Stockton, NY, a son of the late Harry L. and Beulah T. Gottman Gilbert. Before his retirement in 1986, he was a head custodian for the Jamestown Public School System, working for 27 of his 30 years at Fletcher Elementary School. He had previously worked at Jamestown High School and Bush Elementary School. Myron was a member of the Kidder Memorial United Methodist Church, the Chautauqua Lake Fishing Association, the Samuel Derby Post 556, American Legion, Frewsburg and the Jamestown Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 1681. He also was a past Chief for the Bemus Point Fire Department. Myron was also a very patriotic man and was a proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corp. He will be remembered as a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather whose generosity and thoughtfulness was evident throughout his time of illness. He loved to spend time hunting, fishing and camping. He and his family spent time vacationing at Tupper Lake, in the Adirondack Mountains, for 54 years. He considered this his second home where he made many friends. He taught many people how to filet a northern pike so not a bone could be found. He loved to joke around and had a great sense of humor. He had a big influence on many people, especially through his dedication and love for children that he met while working at the schools for many years. He had a love of all animals. Most special to him were his pet his dogs, Midgey, Spud and Spudette. He had many friends in Jamestown and Tupper Lake and it seemed that his home was the gathering place for everyone. He loved to tell stories and was known for giving everyone he met a special name. Surviving are his wife of 42 years, Allene B. Lundmark Gilbert whom he married June 29, 1974, a son, David Gilbert of Jamestown, three daughters, Marilyn (Jim) Bendig of North East, PA, Marjorie Keefe of Greenhurst, NY, Linda (lateTony) Miceli of Jamestown, 11 grandchildren, Robert (Diane) Bendig, Matthew (Vicki) Bendig, Todd (Wendy) Keefe, Traci (Jim) Curtis, Tony Miceli, Mark (Michelle) Miceli, Carlo Miceli, Frank (Melissa) Miceli, Kerstin (Deion) Jackson, Rachel Gilbert, Danielle Gilbert, 19 great grandchildren, Chad, Cory, Mitchell, Clay and Gavin Bendig, Makayla Keefe, Tori (Travis) Jordan, Brandon and Ashley Curtis, Marisa, Brock, Zackery, Olivia, Mason, Nolan, and Ethan Miceli, Julian and Niya Jackson and Jazmyn Marrero as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Harry Gilbert, an infant brother, Edward Gilbert and an infant sister, Marjorie Gilbert. The funeral will be held at noon Wednesday in the Lind Funeral Home. Rev. Carolyn Stow, pastor of the Kidder Memorial United Methodist Church and Rev. Dayle F. Keefer, pastor of the Fluvanna Community Church will officiate. Burial will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Frewsburg, NY. Friends will be received from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Tuesday (today) and for one hour prior to the service Wednesday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Chautauqua Lake Fishing Association, 9 Chadakoin Parkway, Celoron, NY 14720 or to Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care, 20 West Fairmount Ave. Lakewood, NY 14750.