Obituary of Leonard E. Gilbert

Leonard E. Gilbert, formerly of Monroe CT and North Port FL, passed away January 31, 2013 at the age of 99 in Citizens Care & Rehabilitation Center, Havre de Grace, MD after a short illness. He worked for the Bridgeport CT newspapers for 50 years, retiring as Managing Editor of the Bridgeport Post Telegram in 1981. He was a member of the American Society of Newspaper Editors and the Associated Press Managing Editors Association. He served in the Navy during World War II as an enlisted Navy correspondent aboard the USS West Virginia during the Okinawa Campaign with a petty officer rating of Specialist (X) Third Class In Bridgeport he was a member of the Barnum Festival Society since 1951, serving as its president in 1967 and also as a member of its honorary Board of Directors. He served nine years as president of the Central High School Class of 1931 Scholarship Fund. He was a 25-year member of the Board of Directors of the Bridgeport Girl Scout Council; served on the Board of the Bridgeport Red Cross chapter and on campaign committees of the United Way, including terms as public Relations Chairman. He also served on the Board of Ushers, the Board of Deacons and on the Board of Trustees of the Trumbull CT Congregational Church. After retiring in 1981 he and his wife moved to Harbor Isles, North Port, FL where he took an active part in the community before relocating to MD in 2008. He is survived by his two daughters, Joan Kunesch of Sarasota FL and Ruth Killian and her husband Carl of North East MD as well as two brothers, Lewis Carnevale of Gallatin TN and Donald Gilbert of Las Vegas NV. Additional survivors include nine grandchildren, thirty-three great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Jeannette Esten Gilbert, daughter Barbara Stockman and brother, Raymond Gilbert. Leonard E. Gilbert, formerly of Monroe CT and North Port FL, passed away January 31, 2013 at the age of 99 in Citizens Care & Rehabilitation Center, Havre de Grace, MD after a short illness. He worked for the Bridgeport CT newspapers for 50 years, retiring as Managing Editor of the Bridgeport Post Telegram in 1981. He was a member of the American Society of Newspaper Editors and the Associated Press Managing Editors Association. He served in the Navy during World War II as an enlisted Navy correspondent aboard the USS West Virginia during the Okinawa Campaign with a petty officer rating of Specialist (X) Third Class In Bridgeport he was a member of the Barnum Festival Society since 1951, serving as its president in 1967 and also as a member of its honorary Board of Directors. He served nine years as president of the Central High School Class of 1931 Scholarship Fund. He was a 25-year member of the Board of Directors of the Bridgeport Girl Scout Council; served on the Board of the Bridgeport Red Cross chapter and on campaign committees of the United Way, including terms as public Relations Chairman. He also served on the Board of Ushers, the Board of Deacons and on the Board of Trustees of the Trumbull CT Congregational Church. After retiring in 1981 he and his wife moved to Harbor Isles, North Port, FL where he took an active part in the community before relocating to MD in 2008. He is survived by his two daughters, Joan Kunesch of Sarasota FL and Ruth Killian and her husband Carl of North East MD as well as two brothers, Lewis Carnevale of Gallatin TN and Donald Gilbert of Las Vegas NV. Additional survivors include nine grandchildren, thirty-three great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Jeannette Esten Gilbert, daughter Barbara Stockman and brother, Raymond Gilbert. Memorial contributions can be made to The Barbara Stockman Fund of the Fairfield County Community Foundation, 383 Main Ave., Norwalk, CT. 06851 A funeral and interment will be held at Charlotte Memorial Gardens, 5200 Indian Springs Road, Punta Gorda, FL on February 8 at 3:00 P.M. and Family will receive friends at 2:00 PM with final rest and Navy honors to follow. Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home ane Cemetery is in charge of arrangements. 947-639-1171