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Obituaries
Gilbert Smith Firth, Jr.
Gilbert Smith Firth, Jr., 81, of Newport News, Virginia, passed away on July 20, 2024, with his loving wife of 55 years, Helen, by his side. Gilbert was born on October 7, 1942, in Newport News, Virginia. He graduated from York High School in Yorktown, Virginia, in June 1960. He completed his Electrical Engineering degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute in June 1966. Gilbert worked for the US Navy at the Naval Weapons Station in Yorktown, Virginia, for 50 years. He spent the majority of his career in different roles supporting the development and maintenance of underwater mines and mine countermeasures as part of the Naval Mine Warfare Engineering Activity. After retirement from civil service, Gilbert continued to work as a contractor for the US Navy at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
As a good and faithful servant of the Lord, Gilbert was an adult Sunday School teacher for over 50 years as part of the Chestnut Memorial United Methodist Church Christian community. He enjoyed square dancing and held various officer positions for the Square Edges Square and Round Dance Club over the years. As an avid reader of early American history, he also dedicated much time and effort to researching genealogy through census records and documenting first-person accounts.
He is survived by his wife, Helen, and his children, Heather Fleming (Dean) and Aaron Firth (Tanya).
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert Smith Firth and Evelyn Purgold Firth.
The Firth family will receive visitation from family and friends at Peninsula Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 23rd, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. A reception will be held on Wednesday, July 24th, at noon at Chestnut Memorial United Methodist Church, 1024 Harpersville Road, Newport News, Virginia, followed by a Celebration of Life at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and Chestnut Memorial United Methodist Church.
11 Comments
Helen, I am so sorry for your loss, & know the pain you are feeling. My prayers & love are with you & family. Love you. Barbara Smith
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. We always enjoyed dancing with him and Helen.
Such a beautiful and gentle soul. Love and prayers to his family.
Gil was a sweet, kind man. I will miss our talks at the square dances. My favorite memory of Gil was at a New Years Eve square dance in the 90’s when he did a Mr. Rogers skit. The perfect match.
Gil Firth was a gentleman, kind, considerate to all with a perpetual smile. He and Helen were always superb square and round dancers, full of fun and laughter. He and Helen were among our teachers and counselors in the Square Dance community. God bless him greatly as he blessed so many of us.
Dear Family,
You are in my prayers and thoughts. May God give you peace in your time of loss. Mr. Firth was one of my favorite customers at Food Lion/Bayberry Shopping Center. Always a smile on his face and a “hello how are you today”. I knew he was a Christ Follower. When I moved to Florida after retirement I continue to think of all my special people. You know this but it is good to keep memories close. He will be missed. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4 God bless each of you. Grace, Peace and Prayer
Helen, Heather and Aaron, Gil was a sweet man, I am so sorry to hear of his passing. We all had a lot of fun together square dancing. I hope to see you all again. Regrettably I cannot attend tonight. Judy Hinch
Please accept Carol’s and my condolences. We greatly enjoyed dancing with Gil and will miss him. May his memory be a blessing.
Helen, Aaron, and Heather, Mr. Firth was one of my favorite members, always ready with a smile. I sure have missed him and will continue to do so. Praying peace over you, the family, and all who knew and loved him.
I enjoyed talking to Gil, I to worked at the weapons station and we had a lot of stories to share. Helen, Aaron, and Heather my prayers go out to you. God Bless
Jim Brandenburg
I will miss Gill’s gentle manner and willingness to help and his enjoyment of life.