Douglas Graver Gilbert Jr., 85, of Madison Connecticut, beloved father, grandfather, and great grandfather, died at The Connecticut Hospice in Branford, Connecticut March 5, 2024. He was surrounded by his loving family.
Douglas was born in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas on March 9, 1938. He was a 1961 graduate of Davis and Elkins College in Elkins, West Virginia. There he met, and subsequently married, Helena (Helen) Adriana Brakel. After college, he became an Air Force Officer and served as an air traffic controller until 1965, when he was honorably discharged. After a brief stint as an aircraft salesman, Douglas joined Braniff International as a pilot and advanced to captain on the DC-8 and B-727 aircraft. In 1980, Braniff closed their doors, and Douglas was hired by USAir where he became captain on the DC-9 and B-737 aircraft. After 18 years of service, he retired from USAir in 1998. Douglas loved aviation and being a pilot, and when discussing his job would mention how he felt fortunate to work in a job that he loved.
During his time with the airlines, he moved around the country to Texas, Florida, Minnesota, and in 1975 settled in Madison, Connecticut where he and Helen raised a family of four children. He loved Madison, and enjoyed time with his family boating, fishing, being outdoors, taking bike rides, hiking in many of the Connecticut state parks, and ice skating in the winters. He also enjoyed regular family trips to see his parents, brothers, nephews, and nieces in the Northern Virginia area.
In 1989 Douglas moved to Centreville, Virginia, where he loved spending time with his parents at their country home in Warrenton, where large family gatherings would take place. He enjoyed relic hunting, visiting civil war battlefields, museums in Washington, DC, and motorcycle rides with his brothers. He was also an avid reader of Civil War and World War II history. He traveled often to spend time with his children and grandchildren, who lived in different states.
Douglas was predeceased by his former wife Helen and son John. Douglas leaves behind three children, daughter Ann of Allen, Texas, and two sons, Robert of Ft. Meyers, Florida, and Richard of Madison, Connecticut. He will best be remembered for his devoted role as Papa to his eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. His legacy of love, family, and generosity will forever remain in our hearts.
A service to celebrate his life will be held at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home in Fairfax, Virginia on Friday April 12, 2024.
His family requests any donations be made to The Connecticut Hospice in Branford, Connecticut
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