Edward Francis Gilman, 84, peacefully went to Heaven on a beautiful sunny afternoon at home on July 18, 2024 with his wife beside him. He was born in Lancaster, New Hampshire on March 26, 1940, the fifth of eleven children to Frank Joseph and Marion Cecile (Stevens) Gilman. He spent his youth in Groveton, New Hampshire. At the age of five, Edward traveled by train to the Baxter School for the Deaf in Portland, Maine where he was educated and graduated in June of 1957.
He then returned to his hometown of Groveton where he started his first employment in 1958 at the Groveton Paper Mill. Later he moved to Manchester, New Hampshire and worked from 1962 to 1982 at Thom McMann Manufacturing, followed by the Manchester Shoe Factory, until both plants closed. He then worked for two years at the Fuller Brush Company, also in Manchester. This was followed by six years at the Sprague Electric Company in Concord, New Hampshire. In 1991, Edward retired and moved to Vermont. He worked from home for Tubbs Snowshoes in Stowe, Vermont from 1994 to 1996.
Edward met the love of his life, Judith Prive, at a deaf mass in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. After eight months of courtship, they were married on August 19, 1995 at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Newport, Vermont where the wedding ceremony was performed in American Sign Language. Only one month and one day would have marked twenty-nine years of marriage.
Edward, who had been deaf from his childhood, received a cochlear implant on January 20, 1999. It was a whole new world of hearing for him. Edward and Judith became the second couple in the State of Vermont to receive cochlear implants.
Edward was such a character, hard worker, kind, warm-hearted, easy going, strong, tall and heavy built. He was always known to his niece, Joanne Howland as her “Teddy Bear”. Also, he was known by his “thumb ups” to whoever he met.
Edward loved watching birds, squirrels and chipmunks out of his kitchen window, as well as the many deer and fawns in the backyard. He enjoyed watching his favorite TV shows: wrestling, westerns, and The Three Stooges, mowing the lawn and snow plowing the driveway, playing cards, doing Fill-In Puzzle books, going to McDonalds for coffee, visiting family and friends, and attending deaf gatherings. It was very special to him to teach Basic Sign Language to children and he always had treats to give his nieces and nephews when visiting them.
He is survived by his wife, Judith, brother-in-law, Gary Prive of Newport, Vermont, and sister-in-law, Mary Lou Gilman of Groveton, New Hampshire. His longtime best friend, Joe Shannon of Stark, New Hampshire, and Jim Privee of Newport, Vermont, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and deaf friends.
He was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Marion Gilman, his father and mother-in-law Raymond and Beryl Prive, his siblings: Blanche (Andrew) Howland, Beverly (Gary) Paquettes, Shirley (Merle) Damon, Mary (George) Weiss, Gloria (Edward) Taylor, James Gilman, Douglas (Marylou) Gilman, Clarence Gilman, Dennis (Carol) Gilman, and Tommy Gilman.
Joanne Howland wanted to do something for her favorite Uncle Eddie by starting a GoFundMe fundraising site to help with his final expenses. Judith gives her a heartfelt deep appreciation for doing this. Uncle Eddie would be so proud of you.
His widow, Judith Gilman, deeply appreciates any contributions during this difficult time. Send them to Judith Gilman at 812 Clyde Street, Newport, VT, 05855. Alternatively, donations to help cover funeral expenses can be made to GoFundMe with the search: Support Judith with Eddie’s Final Expenses.
Special Thanks:
My deepest heartfelt Thank You to the OEVNA and Hospice Executive Director, Lyne Limoges, and all the staff, Case Manager, Scott McGee, VNA Nurses and Aides for providing at home Hospice Care during his final Days. Thanks to Rev. Michel Richards from Hospice for visiting me at home and checking on me through emails.
A special thank you to Dr. Patrick Keith for having Edward as your patient for the last few years. He always looked forward to his visit with you. Also, thanks to his Cardiologist, Dr. Joseph Winget from UVMMC in Burlington, Vermont. Many thanks to my cousin, Jim Privee, for being Edward’s representative during the five years that he was covered by the program Choices for Care, as well as helping with the funeral and burial arrangements.
Also, a Thank You to my cousin, Elizabeth Sargent, for providing Companionship Care to Edward for four years under the Choices for Care program.
My deep appreciation to my neighbors, Paula and Scott Rafferty, and Loretta Schulte, for being with us and helping me with Edward up until the day he passed away.
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