1936 – 2016

TURNER — Winston G. Gilbert Sr., “Wink,” 80, a lifelong resident of School House Hill Road, Turner, passed away Thursday, Dec. 15, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born Feb. 14, 1936, in Lewiston, the son of Lauren H. Gilbert Sr. and Amelda (McLaughlin) Gilbert. Wink was a 1954 graduate of Leavitt Institute in Turner. He proudly served in the U.S. Air Force from 1956 to 1960. On Feb. 4, 1961, in Turner, he married Patricia S. Sawyer. They made their home and raised their family in Turner.

He worked as a U.S.P.S. route carrier, delivering mail to the post offices from Auburn to Farmington. He later went to work for W.D. Mathews in Auburn and retired in 2001 after 27 years of service. He then started his next 15 year hobby of driving truck and comically needling people at Whited Peterbilt.

He was a past master of the Nezinscot Masonic Lodge 101. He also was an active member in the Turner Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club, as well as the Turner Historical Society. Wink was an avid outdoorsman who looked forward to Thanksgiving hunts and ice fishing throughout the State of Maine with his boys and many grandchildren. He also enjoyed gardening, watching and feeding birds and feeding his beloved wood stove. You could often find him on the sidelines watching his grandchildren in their various activities and sports. Wink was a master of telling jokes and stories. He will always be remembered for riding the bicycle built for two with Donnie Ricker in the Turner July 4th Parade for the past 30+ years.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Patricia Gilbert of Turner; four sons, Winston Gilbert Jr. and Wendi of Turner and his children, Nicole and Meagan; Russell and Tracy Gilbert of Buckfield and their children, Jacob, Zachary, Caleb and Alexis; Timothy and Lisa Gilbert of Turner and their children, Olivia and Sophia; and Kenneth and Patti Gilbert and their children, Kendra, Kaitlyn and Parker; as well as four great-grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, and two step- great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Robert Gilbert and his wife, Debbie, of Kentucky; two sisters, Lorraine Fish and her husband, Joe, of New York and Elaine Bonney and her husband, Weston, of Portland; his mother-in-law, Gladys Sawyer; and his many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; four brothers, Leighton, Durwood, Lauren Jr. and Gerald Gilbert; his father-in-law, Russell Sawyer; and two grandchildren, Alivia Gilbert and Kenneth L. Gilbert Jr.

The family would like to thank Tammy from Androscoggin Home Hospice and the many aides that helped during this difficult time. Also a big thanks to all the family and friends who came to visit Wink, keeping him in good spirits.

Messages of condolence may be sent to www.finleyfuneralhome.com.