LACONIA-----Rene J. Gilbert, 97, passed away at the St. Francis Rehabilitation and Nursing Center on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 with his loving family by his side.
Rene was born on July 26, 1921, in Laconia, NH, the son of the late Maurice and Rosilda (Sevard) Gilbert. He married the love of his life, Elizabeth (Russilillo) Gilbert on June 21, 1941, and together they raised eight children. Starting out Rene worked construction for Reginald Bisson and for his uncle Wilfred Gilbert. In 1944 returning for WWII as a Navy veteran, Rene started his own business, Rene J Gilbert Builders Company. He built many homes in Laconia and also became the landlord of many rental properties. He served on many boards and in many leadership positions: The Salvation Army, The Taylor Home, The Boy Scouts of America and the Laconia Savings Bank among others. He was a long time member of St. Joseph's Parish and was a Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus. He was a former police commissioner and a charitable giver to many organizations. He took violin lessons as a child and played all his life and later added the organ to his musical accomplishments.
Rene was known for his positiveness, his friendliness and helpfulness. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Rene is survived by his son David Gilbert and his wife Dallas of Laconia; daughters, Lorraine Sanborn of Gilford; Cheryl Allen of New Brunswick, Canada; Carol Kinsman and her husband Tom of Bellevue, Washington; Ruth Fecteau and her husband Don of Laconia and Ellen Giguere and her husband Michael of Laconia; fourteen grandchildren, twenty seven great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Rene also leaves behind his brother Eddie Gilbert, sisters, Cecile Soucy, Florence Simoneau and Irene Bourbeau along with many other loving extended family members and friends. In addition to his parents Rene was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 75 years, Elizabeth (Russilillo) Gilbert, who passed away in March of 2017, his daughter Patricia Allen, his son John Gilbert, brothers Arthur, Norman and Delphis and his sister Rita.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, February 4, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Andre Bessette Parish - St. Joseph Church, 30 Church St., Laconia, NH. At 9:30 a.m., a half hour prior to the mass, the family will receive friends at the church.
Burial will follow the mass in the family lot at the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Garfield St., Laconia.
For those who wish, the family suggests memorial donations in Rene's name to be made to the St. Francus Home - Activities Fund, 406 Court St., Laconia, NH 03246.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia NH is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.