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Richard "Ricky" Philip Gilbert, Jr., age 54, a resident of Belen, NM, passed away on Wednesday, September 13, 2006. He was a member of the veterans of foreign wars. During the Vietnam War, he served aboard the Carrier USS "Enterprise" in the Pacific as a radar technician. The Enterprise was in the Tonkin Gulf opposite Vietnam, evacuating wounded soldiers to hospitals in the pacific region. He also served briefly aboard the USS "Constellation" in the Persian Gulf. After his naval service he was in the ready reserve subject to a call-up. At home, he helped care for his invalid father, who died September 10, 1995. Ricky was born in Belen, the middle child of his parents and attended St. Mary's Parochial school and graduated from Belen High School in 1969. He is preceded in death by his father, Richard Gilbert, Sr.; paternal grandparents, Teresa and Carlos Gilbert; and maternal grandparents, Paul and Mary Bernier. Ricky is survived by his loving mother, Elizabeth Bernier Gilbert of Belen; brothers, John Gilbert and his wife, Debbie of Higley, AZ, and Thomas Gilbert and his wife, Terri of Austin, TX; sisters, Susanna Gilbert of Albuquerque, and Elizabeth Gilbert Garcia and her husband, Frank of Chama, NM; nieces and nephews, Stephanie, John, Ryan, Annemarie, Rachael, Rebecca, Christopher, and Sarah. The family wishes to thank Peter Vigil and staff at Georgia House, Maria Martinez and staff of Casa de Don Elias, and caseworker, Liz Barrett for the loving care given to Ricky during his illness. Services will be held at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church on Monday, September 18, 2006. A viewing will take place at 8:00 a.m. with a Rosary to be recited at 8:30 a.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m. with Father Stephen Schultz officiating. Ricky will be laid to rest at Santa Fe National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. Pallbearers will be John and Thomas Gilbert, Ryan and Frank Garcia, Ralph Castillo, and Leroy Baca. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. Ralph Brower and the Baca family and staff of Baca Auto of Belen. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.
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