Obituary of Gilbert A. Thibault III

After a brief but courageous battle with cancer, Gilbert Alexis Thibault III, age 48, passed away peacefully on Sunday September 2, 2018 at New Britain General Hospital.  He was surrounded by the love of his close family - and those friends whom he made his family.  Linda (Dutkiewicz) and Gilbert A Thibault, Jr along with sister Cindy (Hetu) were overjoyed when he was born on June 17, 1970 at that very same hospital.  He is, and will continue to be deeply missed.  After graduating Berlin High School in 1988, Gil went on to work at Stan Chem and a longtime career at the New Britain Herald.  He was currently employed by Companion Industries in Southington and was also as a ‘greeter’ at Sam’s Club on the Berlin Tpke.  He enjoyed this job because he got to see “all those people that you don’t really run into…”.  By all accounts, Gil will be remembered for his kindness, his wit and also his very dry humor.  Gil was one of the good guys.  If you were lucky enough for Gil to call you a friend, you could count on him.  If you had kids – Gil became ‘Gilly Claus’, surprising them with unique and memorable gifts.  He was incredibly generous with those he loved.  By his own admission, Gil was a simple man, with simple needs.  Playing his guitar or working on restoring antique toy cars…that was Gil.  Good times spent with those he loved and maybe an occasional Car Show or casino trip – that was Gil.  He lived his life his way with those simple pleasures. 

Gil is survived by his parents, Linda and Gilbert Thibault of Berlin, his sister Cindy Hetu, and brother in law Bob Hetu of Berlin, niece Aleah Edwards of Charlotte, NC, and his nephews, David Edwards of Minturn, CO, Zachary Edwards of Newmarket, Suffolk, UK. and Jordan Hetu of Berlin, and several aunts, uncles cousins and great cousins – whom he adored.  Besides those who lived long happy lives, he was sadly predeceased by his uncle Jeff Dutkiewicz, 55 in April of this year.

Family, friends, and others whose lives Gil touched are invited to reminisce and grieve his wonderful soul on Friday September 7, 2018 1:00-3:30pm at Farrell Funeral Home 110 Franklin Square New Britain. Words of Remembrance by family and friends will be shared at 3:30pm.  Guests are asked to bring their written memories or pictures to be included in a keepsake memory box.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Friendship Center 241 Arch Street, New Britain, CT.