Dr. Gilbert Gilinsky

Gilbert was born October 27, 1923 in Brooklyn, NY and was the oldest son of Max and Rose Gilinsky.  He graduated from Lafayette High School in Brooklyn and did his undergraduate at the University of Buffalo in Buffalo, NY.  He went on to Dental School at the University of Pittsburg School of Dentistry, graduated in 1947 and was a member of the Alpha Omega Dental Fraternity.

While in Dental School, 1943-1947, he entered the Army Specialized Training Program. After graduation, he was hired as a Dentist at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Battle Creek Michigan.  It was at the hospital he met his lovely wife of 65 years, Helen, who was a Registered Nurse.

After two years they moved back to New York and Gilbert started his Dental Practice in Hicksville, NY.  In 1951, Gilbert was called back to Army Service because of the Korean War as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Dental Corps and served at Fort Hood Texas Army Base for two years.  After his discharge in 1953, Gilbert and Helen decided to go back to Battle Creek, MI where they met to start his Dental Practice and raise his family.

Gilbert was a life member of the American Dental Association, Michigan Dental Association, American Association of Endodontists, and he was awarded the High Honor “Fellow of the American Academy of General Dentistry”.

During Gilbert’s life in Battle Creek, he was very active on several Boards including Southwestern District Dental Society, Dental Chairman, YMCA Fund Drive, Board Member and Investor of Minges Creek Tennis Club, Active Member of Battle Creek Country Club and Pennfield High School Boosters.

Gilbert continued his Post Graduate Education at the University of Michigan Dental School, attending lectures and seminars with the American Dental Association.  He was always looking to improve his techniques.

Gilbert spent all his free time with his loving family on the tennis courts and horseback riding all summer long.  In the winter, it was family ski vacations.  He crossed the state of Michigan riding his favorite horse “Vanity” with the Michigan Quarter Horse Association.  He also played racquetball, loved to swim, bike and work in his garden.

Gilbert retired in 1987.  Gilbert and Helen then moved to Sanibel Island, FL to enjoy the Sunshine State and retirement.  He did not really retire as his activities were a full time job!  Travel included Europe, Dude Ranches, and Cattle Drives which he finally had time for.  He continued his love of horseback riding and got very involved in Special Equestrians for the Handicapped, where he served on the Board of Directors.  Tennis became a 7 day a week sport.  He was a member of the Sanibel Harbor Tennis Resort and on the Tennis Team.  He was also energized from biking, became President of the Sanibel Bike Club and took many trips around the U.S. biking.  Gilbert was a Board Member of the Sanibel Harbor Yacht Club, a member of the Orchid & Hibiscus Club and the “AVID WORKOUT KING” at the Recreation Center on Sanibel.  Even in his retirement years, Gilbert stayed active in the Dental Field by teaching at Ft. Myers College and was on the Board of International Research Corporation.

In 2012, Helen and Gilbert moved to Denver, CO to spend quality time with their grandchildren.  There they became their “Biggest Fans”, following every sport they played, which was numerous!  He became a Pickle Ball enthusiast, entering some tournaments and met many wonderful friends following the Pickle Ball “circuit” around town.  Still at 94, he was going to work out daily, walking the treadmill, lifting weights and playing Pickle Ball.

Gilbert was predeceased by his beautiful wife Helen in 2014 and is survived by his loving family, Gerry Gilinsky (Becky), Gail Gilinsky-Yount (Bob), Gwen Clark (Joe); Sister, Bernice Roth; Grandchildren, Blake and Brynell Yount; and many nieces and nephews.

If you would like to join in for the procession and interment at Fort Logan please plan to be at the cemetery no later and no earlier than 2:15 PM. 

Monday
July 23, 2018
2:30 PM
Fort Logan National Cemetery Staging Area B
4400 W Kenyon Ave, Denver, CO
Denver, CO 80236

While flowers are still accepted, in accordance with Gilbert's wishes please consider donating to a charity of your choice in his honor.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. Gilbert Gilinsky, please visit our floral store.