Gilbert Pierre Chevalier

Gilbert Pierre Chevalier, 93, passed away in the comfort of his home under hospice care and surrounded by his loving children Sue and Gil on April 12, 2024.  

Gilbert was born on September 27, 1930 in Knutange, France to Rose (Stenger) and Pierre Chevalier and lived there for the first eight years of his life, after which time he moved to New York City and lived there with his parents and beloved grandmother Marie. He learned English, was an altar boy, and enjoyed playing stickball with his life long friend Joe.  As a young man he helped to support his family by delivering flowers.  He attended St. Monica’s, earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from City College of New York, and a Masters of Science in Civil Engineering from Columbia.

As a young man, Gilbert had many interests.  He was a skilled soccer and squash player. He was a center forward for the CCNY soccer team and played semi-professional soccer for the Austrian American league. He played squash both in college and with friends after college at the New York Athletic Club, and was an avid and skilled tennis player, skier and fisherman.  He loved dancing and spent many evenings ballroom dancing at Roseland Ballroom. Gilbert served in the US Army during the Korean war.

Gil met his future wife Jane through dear mutual friends, Bob and Lucy.  Gil and Jane married and began raising their children, Suzanne and Gilbert, in New York City. When Jane tragically died in her 30s, Gil and his children moved in with his in-laws in Westchester. He was a dedicated single parent his whole life, coaching community soccer and basketball teams, taking his children to New York Giants games and skiing throughout the United States and Europe, and on family fishing trips throughout New England and Canada with dear friends.  He and his children visited his parents in New Milford every weekend.  Gilbert eventually became the part time caretaker for his father in law and when his in-laws passed, he graciously and regularly opened his home to his friends and the friends of his children.  

Gilbert had a wonderful sense of humor, was extremely outgoing and social in his younger years, loved his family, friends and work associates, and deeply enjoyed French food and wine and the German dishes that his grandmother had made for him as a child.  He spoke German and French and loved mysteries, classic movies, musicals and French accordion music.  He enjoyed visits to his children in Maine, San Diego and Las Vegas, and in his later years, Gilbert enjoyed playing bridge each week with his caring friends at the New Milford Senior Center and visiting with his ever loving and supportive neighbors, Jerry and Vera, and dear friend Gail.  Gil loved all dogs, especially golden retrievers, and was also an avid NY Rangers fan, regularly watching the Rangers play right up until his death.  He regularly completed the NY Times crossword puzzle and played a mean game of bananagrams.  He enjoyed nature and especially watching the birds, deer and occasional bear from his windows.

Gilbert was a very hard worker and dedicated provider.  As a Civil Engineer he created his own company, Charles Gilbert and Co., and worked for Con Edison and others, including selling custom stairs for Precision Ladders, which he did well into his 90s, earning the top sales award in 2016 at the age of 86.

Per his wishes, Gilbert will be cremated and buried at St. Francis cemetery in New Milford.  A celebration of life will be held at a future date. His children would like to thank his friends, neighbors, New Milford Medical Group, all of the RVNA therapists, nurses, and hospice workers and BrightStar Care staff who cared for him, appreciated him and helped him to have a wonderful life right until the end.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Gil’s name at any of the following organizations

New Milford Senior Center: Checks payable to New Milford Seniors 40 Main St. New Milford, CT 06776

RVNA Health Hospice at www.rvnahealth.org

Big Brother Big Sister of CT ctbigs.org/donate

Ct Humane Society at https://www.humane.org

A Mass will be held on Monday April 29th at 8:30am at St Francis Xavier Church with a mention of Gilbert, holding him in memory.