Born January 17, 1944, in Olean, he was the son of Gilbert M. and Evelyn Margaret Hedberg Childs. On September 4, 1965, in Eldred, PA, he married the former Caren Milliron, who survives. A graduate of Otto-Eldred High School, he served honorably with the US Navy from 1961 – 1964, with service on the USS Saratoga. He was employed as a machinist by Dresser Rand in Wellsville for 42 years and served as a part-time groundskeeper for the Richburg Central School District from 1983 – 1990. An avid hunter and trap shooter, Gilbert was a member of the Richburg Rod & Gun Club. He was always interested in local wildlife conservation. Gib enjoyed woodworking.
Surviving besides his wife, Caren, are: two daughters, Tami (Patrick) Maglier of Wellsville and Allison (Joseph) Laquidara of Washingtonville; five special grandchildren, Casey (Jasmine Sanders) Maglier, Emma (Kyle Elliott) Maglier, both of Wellsville, Julia Laquidara, Katie Laquidara, and Luke Laquidara, all of Washingtonville; a great-granddaughter, Meah; and his best canine buddy, Leo. He was predeceased by his parents and a sister, Margaret Ann Childs.
Friends may call Tuesday, December 29, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon at Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Cremation, Crowell Chapel, 296 North Main Street, Wellsville, NY, where Funeral Services will follow at 12:00 Noon. CDC and NYS Department of Health guidelines apply. Rev. David Herne will officiate. For those not able to attend in person, the funeral will be livestreamed at the bottom of Gib’s obituary page at www.wellsvillefuneralhome.com. Burial will be in Lamphier Cemetery, Eldred, PA. Military Rites will be accorded by members of the McKean County Honor Guard.
Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundwarriorproject.org, any Veterans service organization, or the Richburg Colonial Library, 160 Main Street, Richburg, NY 14774. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wellsvillefuneralhome.com.
