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Landry, Gilbert Paul
January 3, 2018. Survived by his loving and beloved wife of 33 years, Lucy; his sisters Frances and Eleanore; brothers, Richard, George, James and Randolf; brother-in-law Pat (Mary) Loporcaro, and many, many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by parents Conrad and Celine Landry, oldest brother Larry and sister Janine.
Gil was born in Wallagrass, Maine in 1938. He attended elementary school and high school in Waterbury, Connecticut. After classes in high school, Gil delivered prescriptions for a local pharmacy—a job he loved. From 1956 until 1960 he served in the U.S. Air Force; his main assignment was as a cryptographer based in Greenland.
He received a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Connecticut in 1968, and an M.S. in Social Sciences from Southern Connecticut State University in 1971. While attending college, Gil worked for the New Haven Register as a typesetter, and later as a proofreader. He also taught elementary school in New Haven for four years.
In the 1970s he had a two-year stay in Swaziland as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Two of his students there had a special connection with Gil and he supported them – and their children—in their educational efforts ever since. His love of both travel and teaching led him to accept a teaching assignment in Iran where he met Lucy, who was also a teacher. They married in 1984 in Amman, Jordan, honeymooned in Italy, and rarely were far removed from a journey ever since. Their travels took them throughout Europe, to Thailand, China (they inspected the Great Wall), the Philippines, Japan, as well as many cruises. After leaving Iran, Gil worked for most of the next 20 years in Saudi Arabia, first in Dammam and then in Jeddah. These were personally rewarding times for Gil as a teacher and supervisor. As Program Supervisor, he was in charge of 30 American instructors and up to 400 students. His generous and loving spirit enabled him to make those reporting to him feel successful and worthwhile in whatever job they had. For Gil, everyone was deserving of respect, reward and recognition for who they were. In 2000, he received a special award from the Saudi Arabian Logistic and Technical Support Group for his work in the English Department. These years also afforded Gil and Lucy many opportunities for travel and adventure.
In July 2001, Gil became Executive Directive of Elderberry Express. For the next 16 years he was happy to provide senior citizens in Pittsford with a much needed, free transportation service. For Gil, it was not a job, but an opportunity to be of service to others. In 2013, he was named Pittsford Citizen of the Year Award for his contributions to the community.
Throughout his life, Gil was actively involved in his church, either as lector, communion server or altar server. For years he aided Father Michael Egan in Saudi Arabia in ministering to Catholics there. In 1999, Gil received a Letter of Commendation and a Medal from Pope John Paul II for this service. He was also proud of his membership in the Father Michael Hogan Knights of Columbus.
Gil was a kind, loving, generous and caring person who always put others before himself. He played tennis at every opportunity, maintaining the tradition of “tennis whites” long after a motley crew of colors invaded the courts. Whenever he and his family from Connecticut got together, cribbage, spades, hearts and gin rummy would be played for hours. In the Spring, he could be found at nurseries loading up on flowers for the flower beds and the many hanging baskets around the yard. Scrabble with Lucy occupied countless of their leisure hours. Whenever he scored a seven-letter bonus, he would bounce up and give her a kiss. While she always welcomed his affection, she had mixed feelings about those particular kisses. In another of their various friendly rituals, Lucy would tell Gil what a fine person and wonderful husband he was. He would reply, “Yes, but I have my faults.” And she would come back, “Well, I’m still looking for them.”
Lucy would like to thank their very special friends Saba, Hasan and their sons, Moho and Safet for the many years of friendship they’ve shared and the kindness, attention and concern they showed for both Lucy and Gil during this difficult time.
Donations in Gil’s memory can be given to Elderberry Express, 3750 Monroe Ave., Pittsford. A funeral mass will be held in the Spring at St. John of Rochester, Fairport, NY. If you’d like, please share a favorite memory of Gil on this site.
Comments
16 responses to “Landry, Gilbert Paul”
I will surely miss you and always remember you on our Birthday!
It was a pleasure to have known such a wonderful person.”save your nine eddie” lol
Pat & Mary – I am so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you.
Since our first meeting in Iran we have always enjoyed Gil’s company and friendship. We will miss him, but are better for having enjoyed Gil’s friendship over the years. Our prayers are with you Lucy.
My most heartfelt condolences to Lucy and all the family. Gil came into my life about 55 years ago. He was my Godfather, stood with me at my confirmation and taught me how to play chess. His passing is a great loss for everyone whose lives he touched.
So sorry for your loss Lucy and family, I knew Gil only for the last 5 or 6 yrs getting calls from Gil for Elderberry Express rides to do. Gil was a very special guy who really enjoyed helping others. RIP Gil, you’ll never be forgotten for all goodness you have done in our crazy world.
I am impressed to learn of the details of Gil’s many extraordinary accomplishments. I never met Gil, but his leadership of the Elderberry Express played an important role in the life of my late mother, Irene Burgoyne. Thanks to Elderberry, Mother was able to get to doctor’s appointments scheduled while I was at work. This allowed her to maintain her independence and was also a great blessing for me. Mother often spoke of Gil’s great kindness to her. Indeed, Gil took the time to visit her in hospice. Pittsford has lost a great citizen and a remarkable man. Deep sympathy to his family.
Cara Lucia, la scomparsa del tuo caro Gil ci addolora tutti; ti siamo vicini con la preghiera.
Io ho conosciuto Gil che avevo solo 12 anni, in occasione del vostro viaggio di nozze qui ad Altamura ( un ricordo che porto vivido nella mia mente), ma sono rimasta colpita dalla sua mitezza e dal suo dolce sorriso. Ti vogliamo bene Lucia. Mimma ventricelli e tutta la famiglia Loporcaro
We had many wonderful shared adventures and experiences. Gil was among the kindest and most positive people I have ever met. His positive influence on me and many others lives on!
Rev. Fr. Protus Hamisi
My prayers go for you Lucy at this trying moment that you may get strength from above, from the Lord God himself the giver of life. I have learn t of the passing on of my dear friend with a lot of disbelief. I have many fond memories of Gil and Lucy that go way back in 1997-1999 when I was a student of Communication at St. John Fisher College while in residence at St. Louis Church Rectory in Pittsford. The many joyful moments we shared at your house over delicious dinners, with memorable stories from Africa-Tanzania and Swaziland. Gil has been a true friend to me since then. Though thousands of miles apart, Gil and Lucy have always been a part of my pastoral work in Kenya since 2000- always praying, accompanying me spiritually and supporting me materially in my pastoral work.. Eternal Rest grant unto him Lord, and let perpetual light shine unto him. May Gil’s soul rest in eternal peace. Amen.
Dear Mrs. Landry,
Pittsford Rotary Club was very proud to name Gil as our Volunteer of the Year, an award he richly deserved. Always hard at work at the Senior Center, he will be missed by the many people whom he touched. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
You will be missed by so many. We both were in the Peace Corps, though in different countries at different times. At our Lifespan meetings, we had some time to trade stories.
Truly a kind and dedicated gentleman! I had the good fortune to work under his able direction as a dispatcher for Elderberyry for a couple of years. On those occasions when I could not line up drivers he stepped in with his special contacts- problem solved. You are missed by so many of us in the community; I know you are in peace and in good hands.
I drove for Elderberry Express for a few years and got to know Gil well, It was a real pleasure to know him and to work with him, I will missing seeing him and saying Hi to him during tax season at the senior center.
The news of Gil’s death came to me as a real surprise. We were very good friends and I always enjoyed his company — especially when Lucy made the food! Gil and I were both in the Peace Corps in Africa, and we later worked together for a number of years in Iran and Saudi Arabia. I will remember Gil for his many qualities as a human being: intelligent, hard working, and organized; a man of integrity whose word you could trust, and a considerate person who was always willing to go the extra mile to help others. A good Christian wherever he went. RIP, my friend. .
To the Family of Gilbert P. Landry, Lt. Shea VFW Auxiliary to VFW Post 201 of Waterbury, Ct. want you to know that your loved one is in our thoughts and prayers. We thank him for his service. Betty Fries, President