BOSTON: Gilbert Prentiss, 80, died Friday, March 14, 2008 in Goddard House in Jamaica Plain following an extended illness.
Born in Syracuse, New York on May 6, 1927, he was the son of the late Spencer W. and Adela (Merrell) Prentiss.
Gil, as he was known to his family and friends, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Hamilton College in 1949. He went on to study music at Yale University where he received a Bachelor of Music in Organ and, in 1960, was awarded an M.A. in Music Theory. Throughout his life, Gil chose job opportunities and avocations that reflected his musical gifts. He worked for a short time at the Buhl Organ Company in Utica, NY. After moving to Boston in 1960, Gil began work at the Boston Music Company. He left there to accept a position as a music editor at the McLaughlin & Reilly Company. When that publishing house closed, Gil returned to the Boston Music Company where he remained until his retirement in 1992.
While a member of The Church of Saint John the Evangelist in Boston, Gil sang in the choir under the direction of Sally Slade Warner and William Porter. For over 25 years Gil also sang as a baritone with Boston Cecilia under the leadership of Donald Teeters. Gil felt privileged to be a consultant to Mr. Teeters, who said of him, “Gil was a musician of high skills and intelligence, greatly appreciated by me and his colleagues in the chorus."
Gil loved the out-of-doors. He went through many pairs of sneakers “trotting” around Boston, from the Blue Hills to the Mount Auburn Cemetery, pursuing his interest as an avid birder. On many summer vacations he hiked countless miles of trails in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. He was a member of both the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Brookline Bird Club. Gil also loved to travel, and seeing Chartres Cathedral in France was one of the high points in his life. And he was an ardent Red Sox fan, glad to have lived long enough to see the Sox win the World Series.
Gil was baptized as an infant in Buffalo, NY. Following a religious conversion as a young adult, Gil began a life-long spiritual journey as a Christian in the Episcopal tradition. His great faith was made manifest in his abiding compassion for others and helped sustain him through many decades of often crippling mental illness. Moreover, he was deeply appreciative of the affection that he felt from others throughout his life. His niece, Margaret Dunn, said of him, "Gil was always so grateful for any care or kindness he was given, and he had a wonderful capacity to receive love."
He is survived by a sister, Cecily Merrell of Rockport, five nephews, David L. Prentiss of Providence, RI, Timothy P. Spellman of Framingham, Christopher M. Spellman of Southborough, Todd M. Prentiss of Andover, and Andrew B. Spellman of Parker, CO, a niece, Margaret M.S. Dunn of Milton, nine great-nieces and great-nephews, and a great-great-niece and a great-great-nephew. His older twin brother, Geoffrey Prentiss, predeceased him in 2002." Gil's family joins together in saying, on his behalf, "Go Sox!"
A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Middle St., Gloucester on Saturday, April 12 at 11:00 am. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Gil’s memory to Boston Cecilia, 1773 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA 02445 or The Massachusetts Audubon Society, South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773.