Dean C. Gilbert

COLUMBIA, NH—Mr. Dean C. Gilbert, 81, of Columbia, NH, passed away on Wednesday afternoon, December 19, 2012, at the Coös County Nursing Hospital after a long period of declining health. Dean was born on July 31, 1931, in Canaan, Vt., a son to the late Theodore and Ottlee (Coolidge) Gilbert. He attended the local schools and then served his country during the Korean conflict in the U.S. Air Force. After his military service, Dean returned to the north country and worked for the Hoosier Company establishing boundary lines, and he also worked for the Beecher Falls Division of Ethan Allen until 1957. After that, he moved to southern California and began a career in the aviation industry, working for Rhor Aircraft, and later he was employed as a sheet metal mechanic for United Airlines. Dean worked his way up to manager for United, supervising many different aviation constructions crews, and later retired from the company. Dean loved to hunt and fish and be outdoors. His greatest passion was for the game of golf, and he was proud to have been a “scratch” golfer. He was a long-time member of the American Legion, Post 47, in Canaan. Dean leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Pauline Gilbert of Columbia; his daughter-in-law, Cathy McComiskey of Pittsburg, NH; a granddaughter, Melanie Paquette and husband Randy of Colebrook; his three great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Noah and Nevin Paquette; and his brother, Donald Gilbert and wife Jean of Colebrook; as well as many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by three brothers, Theodore, Jr., Gordon, and Richard; and his son, Walter "Mackie" McComiskey in 1988. There will be no public calling hours. A graveside memorial service with military honors will be held in Pittsburg at the Indian Stream Cemetery in the spring. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Dean may be made for the purpose of research into Parkinson’s Disease at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (made payable to the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Annual Fund (DHAF), c/o Amy Schrom, Office of Development, Hinman 7070, Dartmouth-Hitchcock, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756-0001. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.

Dean C. Gilbert

July 31, 1931 - December 19, 2012