Gilbert A. Meyer

Portland, Maine-Gilbert A. Meyer, loving husband and father, passed away after a short illness on September 9, 2012 with family members by his side. Gilbert (Gil) was born in Quincy, Massachusetts, the youngest of four children born to Mabel and Frederick Meyer. He attended Quincy schools and then, the Norfork County Agricultural School in Massachusetts. He worked on a poultry farm in southeastern Massachusetts for a couple of years before taking a sales job in Quincy, MA where he met his future wife, Lucille Pitkin. They married on November 9, 1944 while Gil was in the Army and about to be shipped overseas. During WWII, he served in the military police in both Europe and the Philippines. When he returned from the war, he and Lucille started a family having four children. Their oldest child, Linda R. Meyer, Ph.D. teaches in the College of Science, Technology, and health at the University of Southern Maine. Their other daughter, Grace A. Meyer, is a graphic artist who is employed by Hannaford in York, Maine. Their son, John A. Meyer, is an auto body specialist in Weymouth, MA. Their other son, Alan F. Meyer, had severe disabilities and survived until the age of 15 due to the loving care of his parents.

The family lived in various places on the Massachusetts South Shore finally settling in Braintree. For over 30 years Gilbert supported his family by working in the food delivery business for several companies including Happy Homes Bakery, Cushman Bakery, Archway Cookies, and later Alfredo Aiello Frozen Foods where he was the sole sales representative for their New England territory during that period he remained an avid gardner, was an automobile enthusiast, and enjoyed camping with the family taking trips as far north as Nova Scotia and as far south as Williamsburg, Virginia.

Gilbert retired from Alfredo Aiello Foods in 1980. A year later, with children grown and on their own, Gil and Lucille, followed their dream of living a rural life and moved to E. Orange, Vermont where they bought an old farmhouse with a barn, on one and a half acres of fertile land. For the next 25 years of "retirement" they enjoyed the country life with Gil growing their food and Lucille pickling, freezing, and cooking the produce. During this time he and Lucille were active in church and community life with Gil serving on the Tri-Village Volunteer Fire Department for several years. He also pursued his interest in old cars, buying "wrecks", taking them apart, and selling the parts at local car shows and flea markets with friends who shared his passion. During the winters, he was an avid reader. Gilbert often said that these retirement years were the happiest of his life.

In August of 2005, due to his health problems and desire to be closer to their children, Gilbert and Lucille sold the farm and moved to Deering Pavilion in Portland , Maine where they made new friends and enjoyed exploring Southern Maine with their children.

Gilbert is survived by his loving wife of 68 years and his three children. He will be cremated and his ashes will be interred in a small cemetery in E. Orange, VT across the road from the gardens he so lovingly tended. An informal graveside ceremony will be held at a date and time to be announced and a remembrance service for Gilbert will be held on October 27th at 1 PM in the Deering Pavilion Community Room, 880 Forest Ave in Portland, ME to celebrate a long life, well lived.

Arrangements are under the care of Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home 199 Woodford St. Portland, ME 04103

Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Gil's guestbook.