Long-time Springhill, resident Reginald A. Gilbert, who spent most of his active life as a seaman, died peacefully the evening of Monday, March 24, 2008, at his home with his family at his bedside, one day after his 85th birthday. Reg was born in Parrsboro to the late John and Janet (Maxwell) Gilbert. Few people have enjoyed as full a life as Reg. As a teen he ventured from home by train-hopping from his native Parrsboro to the tobacco fields of Southern Ontario and back. As many men of his generation, the defining experience of Reg’s life as a young man was the Second World War. From 1941 to 1945, Reg served in the Norwegian merchant marine in what is known as The Battle of the Atlantic, the longest continuous military campaign of the Second World War. He also sailed the Mediterranean as the Allies were taking North Africa and Italy from the German armies. In those days, Reg acquired the nickname "Red" because his red hair and equally fiery beard. For his service and courage under extremely dangerous conditions, Reg was awarded several medals after the conflict. After the war, Reg—who, by his own account, never learned to swim—remained a seaman, working on a variety of Imperial Oil tankers as a boatswain, or bosun, which is the foreman of a ship’s deck crew. His years at Imperial Oil took him to the major harbours of the American continents, from Halifax to New York to Havana, all the way to the Strait of Magellan. The daily grind, the heat, the accidents, the mosquitoes, the discovering of new lands and cultures—all were part of the journey. Never hesitant to go down memory lane, Reg shared his stories and was a masterful raconteur. Reg retired after a 39 year career as a seaman. Retirement, however, did not mean idleness for Reg. He loved hunting, fishing, working in his blueberry field, and spending time at the camp he built with the help of his family. Reg was an old school patriarch who was never afraid to express his views on a variety of subjects. You always knew where Reg stood. Obviously, folks appreciated this quality, as the Gilbert kitchen on Victoria Street was always a magnet for the neighborhood, friends and family members gathering for tea, gossip, and lively conversations. He is survived by his wife, Adel (Joseph) to whom he was married to for 59 years; sons, David Gilbert of Brantford, Ont., and John Gilbert of Sussex, N.B., as well as daughters, Chris Patterson of Truro, and Adel D. Gilbert of Baltimore, Md.; grandchildren, Christopher Gilbert, Brantford, Ont.; Jennifer Gilbert, London, Ont.; Daniel Gilbert, Picton, Ont.; Timothy Gilbert, Saint John, N.B.; Katie Patterson, Halifax, and brother, Scott Gilbert, Halifax Reg was predeceased by his brother, Maxwell Gilbert; grandson, Mark Gilbert; brother, Donald Gilbert, and sister, Dorothy MacLeod. Visitation was held from 6 - 9 p.m., with a tribute service for Reg at 7 p.m., Thursday, March 27, all in MacDiarmid’s Funeral Home, 5075 Main St., Oxford (447-2930). In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the charity of one's choice. Private condolences may be sent to the family by visiting our website at: www.mmcfunerals.com.