Millerton – John Gilbert, 96, a seventy three year resident of Millerton, NY, died peacefully on Friday, February 19, 2016 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, NY. Mr. Gilbert retired from Keuffel & Esser’s (K&E) Taconic Products Plant in Millerton after twenty five years of service and was also a self-employed painting contractor for nearly thirty years.

Born February 13, 1920 in Granville, NY, he was the son of the late Steven and Mary (Hajas) Gilbert. John attended and graduated from Granville Junior –Senior High School and served his country honorably in the United States Army during WWII. On May 8, 1943 at St. Patrick’s Church in Millerton, he married Mary Finn. Together they shared over sixty one years of marriage. Mrs. Gilbert died June 25, 2004.

John was an avid sports enthusiast and loved to follow the New York Mets, Giants and Knicks. He also liked watching and betting the horses at OTB. In his younger years John excelled at basketball and baseball and played softball on the Interstate Softball Team. His basketball skills earned him a team offer from the Boston Celtics and ultimately led him to induction in the Dutchess County Basketball Hall of Fame in 1968. Throughout his life John also had a deep affection for the great outdoors. He was an avid deer hunter and took his last rack buck at the ripe age of ninety. John was a life member of the Millerton Gun Club and a charter member of the Rounders of Riga. He was also a longtime parishioner of St. Patrick’s Church in Millerton and a life member of the Millerton American Legion Post 178. John will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all. The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the nurses and staff on South Circle 5 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center for their kind and compassionate care during John’s final days.

John is survived by two daughters, Lynn Swart and her husband Leroy of Millbrook, NY, and Debra Stickles and her husband John of Millerton; a brother, Joseph Gilbert and his wife Jeanne of New Jersey and a sister Frances Sweet of Granville; five grandchildren, Lori Milano (Mike), Jodi Swart (Bryan), Christy Hill (Michael), Casey Stickles and John Stickles III (Tori); six great grandchildren, Andrew and Joseph Milano, Amber and Bryan Corns, Jr. and TroiHunter and Cole Cookingham. John is also survived by several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, he was also predeceased by his daughter, Nancy Gilbert of Millerton, four brothers and four sisters.

There are no calling hours at the funeral home. Private funeral services and burial with full military honors will take place at St. Patrick’s Cemetery on Saturday, February 27, 2016. Rev. Kent Wilson will officiate. The family will receive guests are their home at 14 Simmons Street, Millerton, NY on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 2pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Millerton American Legion Post 178, 155 Route 44, Millerton, NY 12546. To send an online condolence please visit www.conklinfuneralhome.com

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