Gilbert E. Wishart Sr.

Gilbert E. Wishart, Sr., passed away on Wednesday, July 31, 2019 in Spring Hill, FL. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years Jean (Strong) Wishart, his son Gilbert E Wishart, Jr, and his seven brothers. Gil was born with twin brother Walter on 08/17/1931 in Goshen, NY. After his family moved several times during his childhood, Gil graduated from Berlin High School, Berlin, CT in a class of 61 students. Throughout his life, Gil has kept in touch with many of his classmates. Gil joined the US Navy in February, 1951 and spent boot camp and electrician’s mate school in Norfolk, VA. The remainder of his service was spent aboard the USS Preserver serving from Greenland to Trinidad during the Korean War. After separating from the Navy, he returned to CT and attended UConn for two years part time while working as an electrician. In February, 1956 Gil met and married the love of his life, Jean Strong Wishart. They raised five children and resided in East Hartford for 55 years. Gil worked as a Quality Control Engineer at Hamilton Standard from 1956-1992 with a small break at Kaman Aircraft. Gil and Jean were among the original parishioners of their beloved South Congregational Church in East Hartford. He held many positions there including Deacon, Trustee, Trustee Emeritus, Moderator, and was always their “go-to” electrician. Gil was also a 32nd degree Mason, a 20 year member of Scottish Rite, and a member of The Rotary Club of East Hartford. During his 60 plus years of being a Mason, he was the Worshipful Master of Orient Lodge, #62 AF & AM of East Hartford in 1999. In 1972, while working at Hamilton Standard, Gil was awarded NASA’s Silver Snoopy Award for his work on Apollo 11. The award was presented by Astronaut Buzz Aldrin and was given to a team member as a way of thanking them for “outstanding performance, contributing to flight safety and mission success”. This was one of the highlights of Gil’s career, along with receiving the Paul Harris Award from the East Hartford Rotary Club. Gil participated in many Habitat for Humanity projects including traveling to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Gil enjoyed crossword puzzles, cribbage, and loved playing golf, especially with his family. Gil was a loyal, lifelong Red Sox fan and a devoted fan of UConn women’s basketball.

After his wife’s passing, Gil moved to The Residence at Timber Pines in Spring Hill, FL in 2016. He was lucky enough to make many friends, attend meetings at The Rotary Club of Spring Hill, and find a wonderful new church family at Spring Hill United Church of Christ.

Gil is survived by son Scott Wishart, daughter Kim Wishart and her wife Laura Jenner, son Dean Wishart and his wife Christine, son Dennis Wishart and his partner Magdalene Gribble. He also leaves behind his grandchildren Darryl, Amanda and her husband Todd Cohen, Connor, Chandler, Cameron, and Kendall Wishart.

Gil’s family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 from 4-7pm at the D’ESOPO-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. Funeral service will be Thursday, August 8, 2019 at 10 am at South Congregational Church, 1301 Forbes Street, East Hartford with Rev. Fredd Ward officiating. Burial with military honors will be at 2 pm in Rose Hill Memorial Park,(Section 24), Elm Street, Rocky Hill. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in Gil’s name to the Memorial Fund at the South Congregational Church, 1301 Forbes St, East Hartford, CT 06118. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopoeh.com.