James H Gilbert

James H. Gilbert of 256 Glen Brooke Way died Wednesday, May 9, after a sudden illness. Born December 3, 1942 in Evanston, Illinois, he was 75 years of age and had been a longtime Greenville resident.
Among other positions, Mr. Gilbert had been an auditor for Dan River Inc. while it maintained offices in Greenville. His job as a “factor” for the company involved balancing bank-interest payments on accounts receivable on a daily basis with cotton providers awaiting payment while the company manufactured and marketed cloth-based products. Trained as an accountant, he was also treasurer for a time of his local condo association.
Mr. Gilbert was educated at Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey, and received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Connecticut. He had also earned credits toward a master’s degree at Penn State University.
During the Vietnam War, Mr. Gilbert served in the U.S. Navy as an optical repair specialist aboard submarine tenders at sea and at the naval base at New London, Connecticut.
A transportation enthusiast and avid researcher on the web, Mr. Gilbert collected model trains and recently turned his study on the history of cinematography.
He is survived by his brother, Robert Gilbert, of Stonington, Connecticut; his sister-in-law, Maggy Gilbert; and a nephew and two nieces: Neil Gilbert of Chicago, Kate Gilbert of Boston, and Liz Gilbert Filler of Stevensville, Maryland, as well as two grandnephews: James and Charlie Filler of Stevensville. Mr. Gilbert was predeceased by his parents, Harry G. Gilbert, former vice president and controller of Bigelow-Sanford Carpet Co. in Greenville, and his mother, Aileen K. Gilbert.
A quiet, private and generous man who supported many charities, he was well loved by his family, who called him “Uncle Jimmy.”