Birth date: Feb 20, 1954 Death date: Jun 9, 2025
“Larry” Lawrence Charles Gilbert, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away and entered into heaven at the age of 71 surrounded by the unwavering love of his family during his final days. Larry was bo Read Obituary
To Rita and Family;
Jill and I are deeply sad about your loss. We will forever miss our dearest friend, but we are with immense gratitude for the countless memories he left us.
For over 40 years, Larry was not just a friend to Jill and me—he was family
How can I summarize 40 years of love, laughter, and good times in just a few short paragraphs? We have left wonderful memories in every winery and casino in the state of Michigan. Together, we shared so many unforgettable moments that painted the tapestry of our lives together. From road trips to our kids’ football games to perfecting the art of pizza-making in our backyard oven, from those Halloween parties at the Russicks’ to late-night card games filled with wine and laughter, and from serene boat rides along the coast to spontaneous adventures that began with Larry signature line, “Hey, if you’re not busy, would you like to”… and off we were to somewhere new or old? Larry’s zest for life was unmatched.
Larry was always ready for a new adventure, especially in the last few years. He was determined to make everyday worthy. Even though Larry was battling cancer his outlook was always incredibly positive. I know in private he had his down moments but the strength he showed will always leave a deep impression on us and I am sure when our time comes, we will remember him as inspiration on how to act. He was a fighter.
Larry’s politeness and thoughtfulness were hallmarks of his character. He was always attentive, ensuring everyone around him was comfortable and happy. Above all, his love and admiration for you, Rita, were evident in everything he did. You were his “Rit (pronounced reet),” his purpose, his everything.
When Jackie called about the news of Larry’s passing, I felt an overwhelming sense of him transitioning into a beautiful new universe. It was as though his spirit had found peace, joy, and light in a place beyond our own.
One memory of Larry that I will always hold close is how, at the end of every get-together, he would say, “Love you like a brother.” Those words capture the essence of who Larry was—a man who valued love, friendship, and family above all else.
While we will miss him deeply, Larry’s spirit will live on in the stories we share, the laughter we echo, and the love we carry forward.
Rest in peace, dear friend. We love you like a brother. Always
Greg and Jill.
Uncle Larry had such a loving heart. He would do anything to help anyone . So many fun times growing up, eating his special popcorn and playing games. He was always helping, gardening, fishing, serving or enjoying his family. His love for Rita, Nick, Justin and Stefanie and then all the grands was so overflowing. We will miss you Uncle Larry. You impacted so many lives!
Gentle hugs to Rita and the entire Gilbert family💜💜Larry a very knowledgeable and passionate engineer could sketch out a detailed solution in no time! A great problem solver! I enjoyed hearing all about the pumpkin chunking adventures but mostly all his fun family antics!! I’ve been a lucky recipient of many dahlias tubers and have 1 of his famed yellow GilbyFlex rods! RIP Larry💜💜
Peggy E
We met Larry and Rita (and the rest of the Michigan siblings) for lunch recently. When we got there, both Larry and Rick were wearing the same shirt! It was so nice to get together and share stories of the past. Larry told the story of the rotting compost in the back of their yard (from years ago) and how he had to clean it up! I guess he got sick from the smell! It made us all laugh. We will miss Larry's wonderful smile and ability to make us laugh.
