Gilbert was taken to rest in Jesus arms, on Thursday, the 23rd of January 2025, from the midst of his family. It was expected, but not really. Gil had spent eight weeks in hospital fighting the weakening effects of Agent Orange, then succumbing to Covid & Pneumonia.
Bryan, his son, spent every minute fighting for his life; wearing himself to a shadow running for the things to comfort his Dad & hauling his Mother back & forth to whichever hospital he was in, talking to him & dragging him up & down his bed. Forever grateful, boy!
Gil had come back to Michigan in 2012 after 40 years in Huber Heights, Ohio, irritated at living in Ohio, proudly employed at the National Museum of the US Air Force outside the gates of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, where he spent most of the 30 years working for the US Air Force. At the Museum he was an aircraft artist, elsewhere he was an airframe & powerplant mechanic, an unending Tinkerer, experienced Craftsman, and Aircraft Expert,
Before his time in Ohio, he also liked to spout he was active-duty Air Force 3 years, 11 months and 29 days traveling the world as a Phantom Phixer on F-4 aircraft! Of that time, he spent one unfortunate year in beautiful Vietnam, where his exposure to Agent Orange started to pecked him to death like a duck!
Gil was born 11 August 1946 in Foote Hospital, Jackson, Michigan, to Beth Nelaine nee Huey and Felix Robert Vaillancourt. His best memories are growing up on Bates Street in Jackson and the Michigan State Prison Louden Farm on McGill Road that was his address until he married in 1969. He and Martha met in her backyard in Addison and they’ve been married these 55 years.
He enjoyed the many hours researching his ancestry and was very proud of his Father’s French-Canadian roots.
His parents preceded him in death, along with his brothers Allan Lee and Jerry Lyle and Allan’s wife JoAnn nee Cox.
Gil is survived by his wife, Martha Lynne nee Meyer, their son Bryan Christian (Tamara Ruhkadze) and his daughter Melissa Suzanne Sprague; also, his sister-in-law, Ruth (Copenhaver), his siblings Bruce (Suzanne Bennett), Sharon Lou (Curtis); Brian Lonnie (Terri East), with many grandchildren and countless nieces and nephews down to twice removed little Kai, in the picture.
Gil was a beloved Son, Brother, Uncle, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Friend, CoWorker, and Supervisor. He was proud of putting ‘his men’ before himself! He gave to anyone who asked, he was an entirely kind man and a brave Airman/Soldier!
We did have a lovely get together the weekend he died with a mini-viewing and small Wake with immediate family. Going forward, the plan is to plant a tree, thanks to Bruce & Sue, and surround the area under the East Maple with Lavender, Gil’s favorite flower; and forget-me-nots and scatter Gil’s ashes there!
Any donation may be made to your local Hospice. The Hillsdale Hospice supported Gil & his family throughout his time at home, with much gratitude.