He was predeceased by his wife of 45 years, Henrietta Davis Ormsby.
“Gil” or “Gilly” as he was known to many, graduated from Brunswick High School where he was a standout football player and track team member in the Class of ’49. He was an active member of the Brunswick High Alumni for decades, forever proud to be a Dragon.
He joined the U.S. Army in September of 1950. He served on the frontlines during the Korean Conflict with combat brothers in Co. I, 3rd Bat., 180th Inf., 45th Div. in 1952. Gil received a CIB (Combat Infantry Badge), Purple Heart and Bronze Star suffering partial hearing loss while fighting on the frontlines at Hill 119.
When he returned to the country he loved so dearly he served as a sergeant until he left the military in1953. He then joined the Maine National Guard where his served as a sergeant until 1957.
He had a lifelong dedication to the American flag and all that it represents. He and his father, Earl Sr., were instrumental in beginning the annual Memorial Day parade held in Topsham and Brunswick. Each of them served as the parade’s Grand Marshals.
He was a very active member and leader of the American Legion Post 202 in Topsham and as part of Brunswick’s Post 20. He dedicated many years working on behalf of veterans in Maine and across the U.S. to pass legislation on their behalf. In 2017 he was honored for being the person who started the police, fire and EMT breakfast which has been held every year since 1977 in Midcoast Maine.
After Gil returned to civilian life in 1957, he worked various jobs as a laborer, truck driver and heavy equipment operator. He and his wife owned and managed the Three Elms Mobile Home Court in Topsham from 1963 to 1990. During this same time he also worked as a heavy equipment operator on the Brunswick Naval Air Station until he retired in 1990.
Brunswick’s Merrymeeting Park was the most important place on earth to him. He spent as much time as possible on the property when he returned from his military commitment. He lived in the cabin from 2008 to 2016.
Gil was predeceased by his older brother Earl Lee Jr. and his older sister Barbara Ormsby Moore. His remaining sister Florence Galpern and her husband Jerry returned to Brunswick recently from Fort Collins, Colorado, to visit with Gil. His sister-in-law, Eva Gene Ormsby, of New Jersey recently sent Gil a video expressing her appreciation for all he had done for her and her children. He is also survived by several nieces, great nieces, nephews and great nephews living in Maine, New Jersey, California and Colorado. Also surviving is his wife’s nephew, Darryl Davis and his wife Marilyn of Bowdoinham.
Special thanks go out to the residents and staff at Coastal Landing Retirement Community for their friendship. Special thanks also goes out to all the veterans from Brunswick and Topsham and across the state who were so important to Gil. Special thanks to the CHANS nurses for their efforts over the last few years.
In lieu of flowers, contributions and donations may be made to Brunswick American Legion Post 20, 1 Columbus Drive, Brunswick, ME 04011 ATTN: Gil Ormsby Fund.
Friends and family may visit from 3-6 p.m. on Saturday, July 1, 2017, at Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal St., Brunswick. A service will follow at the funeral home at 10 a.m. on Sunday. Interment with military honors will take place at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 3, 2017, in Varney Cemetery, Brunswick.
Memories and condolences can be shared at www.brackettfuneralhome.c om.
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