Charles Edward Gilbert, Sr.

Charles Edward Gilbert, Sr., “Charlie”, “Daddy”, "Papa”, “Big Pop” left the trials and tribulations of this world to rest eternally in the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, January 21, 2012, at his residence in Gautier, MS from complications following a stroke, at the age of 84,. Born in Biloxi, MS, on October 14, 1927, he was the eleventh of twelve children born to Alphonse and Henrietta Daniel Gilbert. As an adult, he delighted, as did his brothers, in recanting the stories of his early days in Biloxi to all that would listen. He was of the Catholic faith, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and attended St. John’s Catholic school as a youth. Although he did not earn a high school diploma, education was always important to him. He worked hard and made personal sacrifices to provide to his children the educational opportunities that he didn’t have. He entered the work force at the age of twelve, working in a local seafood processing plant as an off- bearer. In 1945, he enlisted and served as a Military Policeman with the 1380th Army Air Force Base Unit stationed at Fort Pepperell, Newfoundland and received the American Theater Service Medal and World War II Victory Medal. Upon his departure from the service, he was employed with Tremmel Brothers Roofing Company until 1954 when he became a pioneer in new technology that would revolutionize the shrimping industry as it existed on the coast. For 36 years, as an employee of the Peeler’s Company, later Laitram Machinery, he, alongside his brother, Jerry, installed, serviced and maintained the peeling and deveining machines in shrimp factories from Pass Christian, MS to Bayou La Batre, AL. His responsibilities with the company required extensive traveling to such places as Sweden, Denmark, Greenland, Pakistan, Panama, and Mexico, installing machines and instructing the local servicemen on the operation, service, and repair of these machines. He devoted countless hours to the youth of Ocean Springs, assisting and coaching in both the Little League and Pee Wee football leagues. For over 20 years, he was a loyal member of the “Chain Gang” working the sidelines of senior high football games at Greyhound stadium in Ocean Springs on Friday nights. To the very end, he remained a dedicated Saints fan. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed boating and fishing with his sons and friends to Chandeleur and Horn Islands. After retirement, he realized a life-long dream to live on the water. He fished, crabbed, maintained his lawn, and tended to his Koi pond at his bayou home in Gautier, spending hours admiring the sunsets and watching the birds on the water with his wife. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters and brothers: Norman, Warren, Woodrow, Julius, George, William, Lester, Jerry, Inez, and Irene Wasilenko, and a very beloved daughter-in-law, Cindy Lovett Gilbert. Survivors include his loving, caring, and devoted wife of 62 years, Virginia Sass Gilbert of Gautier, MS and children: Charlotte (John) Hurt of Ocean Springs, MS, Lorain (Carl Jude) Fontana of Lafayette, LA, Charles Edward “Buddy” Gilbert, Jr. (Robin) of Saucier ,MS , James Gilbert of Ocean Springs,MS, Steve (Meg) Gilbert of Bay St. Louis MS,, Holly (Trex) Morris of Atlanta, GA, Louis(Ann) Gilbert of Metairie, LA, Dewey (Susan) Gilbert of Lewisville, TX, and Julie (Chris) Metcalf of Panama City, FL. Grandchildren: Michael(Tracy) Hurt, Erin (Brad) Robbins, Charles Edward, III “Charlie” (Jonna) Gilbert, Nicholas (Kristi) Gilbert, Brandon Moseley, Brandon (Jennifer) Morris, Cameron Morris, Hunter Gilbert and Amanda Gilbert, Raymond Gilbert and Emily Gilbert, and Taylor Metcalf and Reid Metcalf. Great grandchildren: Ashly and Bryan Hurt, Emma Robbins, Addison Gilbert, Gaven Folkes and Brookelynn Gilbert, Brent and Makinzee Gilbert: sister Gloria (E.T.) Baisden of Ft. Walton Beach, FL: sister-in-law, Margaret Fountain Gilbert of Buras, LA. and four long-time, cherished friends, Ralph Rusk, Calvin Dollar, Charlie Durso, and Bill Garlotte. The family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to the nurses and staff of the SICU and 2nd North Neurology Ward of Ocean Springs Hospital and to the staff of Odyssey Hospice for the compassionate care provided during his most recent illness. Visitation will be on Monday, January 23, 2012, from 5 pm until 8 pm at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford O 'Keefe Funeral Home. On Tuesday, January 24, 2012, there will be a 11 am chapel service in the funeral home. Interment will follow in Southern Memorial Park, Biloxi, MS.