Walter R. Gilbert, Jr.
Dateline: Mansfield, MA
Walter R. “Mike” Gilbert, Jr, age 101, a highly decorated United States Army WWII Veteran, passed away in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. He was the beloved husband of the late Mary M. (Ferreria)Gilbert, to whom he was wed for thirty-eight years at the time of her death on April 26, 2020. He was the former husband of the late Barbara Jean (Hutchings) Gilbert.
Born in Cambridge, MA on September 5, 1922, he was the loving son of the late Walter R, Sr. and Lillian F. (Teel) Gilbert.
Mike grew up in the City of Cambridge and was a graduate of Rindge High School. He continued his education at Northeastern University, before enlisting to serve in WWII. He proudly served in the United States Army and for his bravery and heroics, was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and 2 Purple Hearts. Mike saw action in France, Luxembourg and Belgium and was honorably discharged on August 10, 1945, bearing the rank of Staff Sergeant. Upon returning back to the states, he returned to Northeastern University and graduated with a bachelor degree in Engineering.
A resident of Mansfield for the past seventy-four years, Mr. Gilbert spent his entire working career as a Safety Engineer at the former American Mutual Insurance. Mike was a well-known face in the Mansfield Community, where he was a member and former deacon at the Mansfield Congregational Church and a member of Saint James Masonic Lodge in Mansfield.
Mike’s loving and adoring family was truly his greatest gift in life. An avid train collector, he was a member of the Train Collectors Association and proudly marched in downtown Mansfield parades and served several times as a Parade Marshall. in 2012 Mike was inducted into the French Legion D’Honneur and in his honor a plaque honoring his military service was recently placed on top of the Carpenter Avenue street sign on November 11, 2022.
He is survived by his caring and devoted daughters, Marcia J. Desmarais of Taunton and her late husband Paul, Elizabeth S. Cashman and her husband William of Haverhill and Janet L. Holmes and her husband Richard of New Hampshire. He was the cherished and much-loved grandfather of Kathryn E. Brown and her husband Stephen of Mansfield, Christian P. Desmarais of Taunton, Vanessa J. Desmarais of Cambridge and the treasured great grandfather of Ella, Patrick and Vivien Brown of Mansfield.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visiting hours on Friday, July 19th from 5:00-8:00 P.M.at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main Street, Mansfield.
His funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 20th at 11:00 A.M. at the Mansfield Congregational Church, 17 West Street, Mansfield. Burial, along with military honors will follow at the Spring Brook Cemetery in Mansfield.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in Walter’s memory to the Shriners Children Hospital, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114.
To send his family a message of condolence, please visit www.shermanjackson.com