Gilbert Marc Rebillet

Gilbert Marc Michel Rebillet was born in Paris France and passed away Friday, August 17, 2018 at age 75. He grew up in Paris with five brothers and sisters and attended school there, going out on his own early to make his way in the world. He went to work for the most important designer in France in the 60’s; Pierre Cardin. He worked his way up to finish working with M. Cardin himself in his new perfume division. During his time at Cardin he met many famous people including The Beatles which was always one of his favorite stories. He left to join a friend on a road trip from Paris to the Middle East and back. An incredible journey which provided him with great stories he told for the rest of his life! Upon his return to Paris he joined another friend in the real estate business and during this time, in 1969, he met his wife of 48 years. She was a tourist in Paris at the time between junior and senior year in college and he swept her off her feet - all plans were interrupted for a great love affair! They married in her home town in South Carolina in 1970.

After a few years of living in Paris, Gilbert decided to try America and they came to Atlanta, Georgia in 1972. He became a citizen shortly after coming to America and was very proud to call himself an American but with his thick accent people still thought, 30 years later, that he had just arrived!

He opened a YSL Rive Gauche franchise in Lenox Square in 1973 and sold it in 1980. He then joined Neiman Marcus in Dallas for 11 years ending as a divisional merchandise manager and was hired by Escada in 1991. They moved to New Jersey and he rose to President of Escada retail before leaving that company. In 2000 he returned to Dallas to join his good friend Denis Boulle in opening his new store on Preston Rd and worked with him for several years. He also had a business renovating homes; something that he had done with every home he owned since coming to America.

His proudest accomplishment was to be a father to his son Marc. He adored Marc from the moment he was born – late in life – in 1988 - and his pride knew no bounds. Marc was the light of his life even when we had lost him to dementia.

Gilbert was full of life, love and a fierce drive to succeed and to make everyone around him succeed – not always comfortable! He was charming and outrageous at the same time. All who knew him remembered him and were delighted to see him. We, his family, are heartbroken at what happened to him before the end and will fight on to cure the horrible, cruel diseases of dementia. Please join us by giving to your favorite charity for the dementias or whatever charity you prefer. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date to be announced to friends and family.

He is survived by his wife and son as mentioned above; and by his sister Marie Christine Rebillet, his brother Thomas Braun and wife Maryse, his sister and brother in law Sally and Bill McWilliams, and several nephews: Claire, Henri, Maya, Antonin, Reece, Phillips, and Andrew along with several great nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his sisters Martine and Joelle, and his brother Jean Marc as well as his nieces Sandrine and Samantha.

We want to thank the staff of Sunrise at Hillcrest in the memory care unit who cared for him with great compassion and patience – we couldn’t have asked for better care especially from Alex, Gabby, Yvonne and many others including special caregivers Monica and Koffi.