Robert "Gil" Gilfillan

Robert J. (Gil) Gilfillan, 90, of Hamilton, MT, passed away Sunday, December 6, 2015, at home with his family.  He was born September 27, 1925, in Chicago, IL, to John T. and Nellie (Van Kleff) Gilfillan.  Growing up in the Midwest, he graduated from Kenosha High School in 1943 and was an active member of the ROTC.  His ROTC training took him to the University of Michigan where he graduated in 1947 with degrees in industrial and mechanical engineering, and was an active member of the SAE fraternity.  As an Ensign in the US Navy, he served on a minesweeper in the Pacific.  After serving his country and finishing an MBA at the University of Michigan, he began his long successful career in the aluminum business.

He married Lois Collins Gray of Romeo, MI, in 1951, settling in Grand Rapids, MI.  They had two children, a daughter, Gray Heath, and a son, Thomas Gray.  His career then took him to NJ, where he eventually co-founded Minalex Corporation in White House Station, NJ.  He always said that he loved going to work every day.  The friends Gil worked with in the aluminum industry remained cherished “brothers” throughout his life.  They knew how to work hard and enjoy life.  In 1967 he married Joan Kowalski of Milltown, NJ.  His career took them to South Africa where he consulted to the developing aluminum business there for the better part of five years.

After retiring from Minalex in 1986, he moved to the eastern shore of Maryland, and met the love of his life, Barbara Bechtold.  With her daughter, Tyler, they set out on his 37’ sailboat and spent a year exploring the East Coast.  They settled in Charleston, SC, married in 1989 and Gil adopted Tyler in 1993.  After many trips to visit his son in Montana, they decided to settle in Hamilton, MT, in 2000.

One of Gil’s passions was sailing and many hours were spent on The Raven with family and friends.  St. Michaels, MD, and Charleston, SC, provided the perfect locations for beautiful waters, great seafood and family gatherings.

Montana offered a whole new world for exploring and road trips.  Barb and Gil and her parents, Jean and John McPheron (the “Happy Campers”) travelled together often enjoying the beauty of the West.

Gil dearly loved his three children, Gray, Tom, and Tyler, and was very proud of each of them.  He thoroughly enjoyed their sense of humor and family occasions were punctuated with teasing and laughter.  His guidance and love will be sorely missed by them.

His extended family of nieces and nephews cherished their Uncle Gil.  He welcomed the next generation as babies were brought to Montana and placed in his lap.  Barbara’s siblings, Doug (Candace) and Janet (Bob) loved Gil dearly and shared many happy times.  His absence will create a giant hole in the fabric of family life.

He is survived by his wife Barbara, daughter Gray (Tom), son Tom, and daughter Tyler (Tim).

A celebration of life will be held in the Spring on the Chesapeake Bay where he spent so many happy hours.

Goodbye sweetheart, I loved you more…