SOUTH PARIS – Alvin Everett Gilbert, 80, passed away peacefully with his sister Beverly Lashua and family members by his side on July 11, at the Maine Veterans’ Home.

He was born Nov. 27, 1925, to Lillian Ada Hicks and Charles Everett Gilbert of Danville, and married Janie Kathryn Bigbee on July 28, 1967.

A 1943 graduate of Edward Little High School in Auburn. He joined the Navy, where he trained and served as a pilot during World War II. He went on to study at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and Dartmouth and in 1950, graduated from the University of Maine, Orono. He began his professional career at Nabisco Co. in Maine, then joined the Department of Agriculture for 30 years, serving 17 of those years as a diplomat in the U.S. Foreign Service traveling and working throughout Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

After retiring in 1982, he returned to his beloved hometown of Danville with his wife Jane, where they fulfilled Al’s dream of restoring his childhood home. He became actively involved in the Auburn community. He served as an Auburn city councilor in Ward 4 for eight years. He was a member and master in the Danville Junction Grange 65 and president of the Androscoggin Valley Chapter of The National Association of Retired Federal Employees. He was affiliated with AMVETS Post 6 of New Gloucester and American Legion Post 31.

Although he spent a lifetime serving his country and community with great passion and pride, his greatest legacy is the place he will forever hold in the hearts of his family and those who knew him well. He was a caring husband, wonderful father to five children, kind brother to two adoring sisters, and a loved and respected role model to his grandchildren and 12 nieces and nephews.

He is survived by his wife, Janie Kathryn Gilbert; their children, Anthony and Sue Bigbee of Beltsville, Md., Brett and Ann Bigbee of South Portland, Thomas and Heather Bigbee of Frisco, Texas, Victoria Colvard of Techachapi, Calif., and Annslie Bigbee of Solana Beach, Calif.; his sister, Beverly Mae Lashua and brothers-in-law, Martin Lashua and Ralph Lashua), all of Danville; seven grandchildren who knew him as Grandpa Donuts; and 12 nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his sister, Shirley Lashua July 28, 2004.

The family would like to sincerely thank the nurses and staff at the Maine Veterans’ Home, South Paris for the incredible care and kindness that they gave to Alvin to ensure his comfort and dignity in his last years.