Gilbert R. Oliver, Jr. was born the eldest of 7 children in Gloucester Massachusetts on July 16th, 1920 to his parents, Gilbert R. Oliver Sr. and Estelle Mae Oliver, who fondly nicknamed him “Buddy”. He served his country in WWII in the United States Army, as a radio technician. He married his bride Doris Mae Lyon, 72 and a half years ago on January 1st, 1946, shortly after the war ended. They had 5 daughters within a span of 16 years. In 1954, Gilbert and Doris along with their 3 eldest daughters, moved to San Diego, California to begin a new life and career on the west coast. He worked in the field of administration in the aeronautical electronics business. He began at General Dynamics in Kearny Mesa for nearly 7 years, and then retired after 25 years with Teledyne Ryan Electronics, as a Master Scheduler, also in Kearny Mesa. His company played a part in the making of the historical Lunar Module, that was the first to go to the moon in 1969. Gilbert, a parishioner at St. Columba Catholic church in Serra Mesa, was one of the founding members in 1955. He also served communion to bedridden patients at Sharp Memorial hospital for over a decade.
After Gilbert's retirement in 1990, he and Doris enjoyed many fun travels together in their R.V. They took an Alaskan cruise, and made many trips visiting their children, grand and great grandchildren all over the US, including a few large family reunions, most recently in 2015. Together with committed love and faith, Gilbert and Doris created a strong family value that has extended to their 5 daughters and their husbands, 11 grandchildren and their spouses, and 22 great grandchildren. Over 50 close family members, adored and loved their patriarch; husband, daddy, grampy, great grampy, and uncle Gilly. He was known for his strong faith in God and his love and devotion to his wife, family and country. Synonymous with Gilbert, were his quick wit, passion for big band music, toothpicks, hankies, and once upon a time, the smell of his pipes. He is lovingly remembered by his wife Doris Mae Oliver, his daughters Judith Ann Trumbower, Cynthia Louise Peterson, Theresa Marie Roberts, Karen Sue Darisay and his sons-in-law Glenn Trumbower, Bob Peterson, Raphael Oliver, John Roberts, and Brian Darisay. He is now reunited with his daughter Deborah Elaine Oliver, who preceded him to heaven 4 years ago. Gilbert made lasting impressions on his surviving grandchildren, Kimberly Booth, Jennifer Agrillo, Scott Peterson, Nina Gordon, Raphael Oliver, Gilbert Oliver, Christina Barnard, Joseph Roberts, Rebecca Roberts, Joshua Darisay, Isabella Darisay, and their spouses, as well as his great grandchildren, Olivia and Jackson Booth, Paul and Grace Agrillo, Isabel, Ivy and Autumn Peterson, Brooklyn Gordon and her sibling (on the way), Scarlet and Cordelia Oliver, Natalie and Justin Albers, Kendle, Brenden and Jackson Barnard, Isabella, Hannah and America Roberts, and Tula and Harper Mazzie. Gilbert is also survived by his baby sister and brother, Jackie Doucette and Kenneth Oliver, (10 and 14 years his junior). Gilbert was a few weeks shy of his 98th birthday. In his own words he was, "older than dirt!" We'll be seeing you Gilbert, rest in peace. Thank you for the many memories, and for loving us so well.
