LEWISTON – James D. Gilbert, 81, of Torrey Road, Poland, died Saturday, Oct. 14, at Central Maine Medical Center.

Jim was born in New Haven, Conn., on Aug. 20, 1925, a son of the late James Gilbert and Bridgett Rourke.

He served his country during World War II in the U.S. Navy on the USS Guam. After the service, he became a nurse, working for many years at Rocky Hill Veterans Hospital in Connecticut.

After he retired in 1990, he devoted the rest of his life to care for the love of his life after her accident. Jim was a former member of The American Nursing Association and American Legion Post 22. Jim enjoyed reading; he always had a book or two going.

He leaves his companion of 25 years, Mary Jane Sawyer of Poland, and all her family, who loved him like family; a brother, Robert Gilbert of Massachusetts; and a niece, Robin O’Rourke of Connecticut.

He was predeceased by a brother, Harold Gilbert.