Robert Arthur Gilmore

Robert Arthur Gilmore, 76, was born in Meadville on February 9, 1940 to Arthur and Edna (Perry) Gilmore. He passed unexpectedly on August 5, 2016, surrounded by his family. 

Bob graduated from Meadville High School in 1958 where he lettered in multiple sports, including football, baseball, and basketball. As a youth, he was on Meadville’s first Little League All-Star team and, after high school, he was a member of a state championship fast-pitch softball team.  He was always an avid supporter of Meadville athletics.  He officiated sports for many years and eventually served as President of the Boys Basketball Boosters. He continued to be an accomplished athlete in tennis, bowling, softball, and golf. He enjoyed playing golf, a sport in which he achieved eight holes in one, his entire life. He was an avid fan of all Pittsburgh sports teams, as well as Penn State, and rooted for the USA and any team playing against the Cleveland Browns.  

Bob married Betty Lou Coon, the love of his life whom he adored, on August 6, 1966. This year would have marked their 50th anniversary. 

He was employed as a surveying engineer for PennDot for 39 years. After retirement, he enjoyed spending the winter months in Florida, where he made many wonderful friends. He was an active member of Saint Brigid Roman Catholic Church, a former member of the Elk’ s and Sertoma clubs, and a fixture at the Crawford County Fair.

Over the years, he loved to watch and offer advice to his children and grandchildren when they played sports and performed on stage.  Bob enjoyed practical jokes, crossword puzzles, playing cards, dining out, dancing, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.  One of his favorite trips was when he and Betty Lou travelled to Ireland and Scotland for their 30th wedding anniversary.

He will be remembered by his friends for his ceaseless energy, outgoing personality, competitive spirit, and pride he had for his wife and family. Bob was also known for his generous nature. His tenacious personality would have him starting to help before you could even finish asking.

His family will remember and thank him for his fierce loyalty, incredible strength, unyielding work ethic, and spontaneous goofiness. But, most of all, for the love they felt everyday through all the small things he did to show he cared. Bob led by example and the respect and support he demonstrated towards his wife taught his children what true love looks like.

 In addition to his wife, Betty Lou, Bob is survived by four children and six grandchildren; Dr. Tracie Jones and her husband, Marlan, and their children, Carson, Collin and Ava, of Meadville; Tricia Whitling and her husband Jeramy, and their two children, Ella and Gavin, of Grove City; Dr. Terri Gilmore of Meadville; and Jeffrey Gilmore of Detroit, and his daughter, Alivia. He is also survived by a half-sister, Elaine Holben of Cochranton.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two half-sisters, Barbara Pearson and Geraldine Northcott.

Family and friends are invited to call on Monday from 4 - 8 at STEPHEN P. MIZNER FUNERAL HOME, 404 CHESTNUT STREET, MEADVILLE, where a Scripture Service will be held at 7:30 PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Brigid Roman Catholic Church, 383 Arch Street, Meadville, at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, August 9, 2016, with Fr. Tom Trocchio, Parochial Vicar, officiating. 

He will be laid to rest in St. Brigid Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Brigid Roman Catholic Church, 383 Arch St., Meadville, PA 16335.

Share a memory or condolence at www.miznerfuneralhome.com