Gilbert Charles Hawkins

Gilbert Charles Hawkins passed away peacefully at home in Plainville MA on January 20, 2023, after a brief illness. Born on February 22, 1936, he was 86 years old at the time of his passing. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Betty (nee Crawford), who for the last two years Gilbert had lovingly cared for as her dementia progressed. Gilbert is also survived by their three children, Terry-Lynn and her husband Dean, Charles and his partner John, and Alison and her husband Steven. He is also remembered by his six grandchildren, Sara and her husband Nick, Ron and his partner Lauren, Brandon and his wife Ashley, Tyler, Rob and his wife Kelsey, Andrew and his wife Lindsay, and his five great grandchildren: Tyler, Brycen, Tate, Virginia and Leighton. His memory lives on with his brother Wales and his niece and nephew, Jeff and Chantele. He is predeceased by his parents Anson Smalley and Jenny Olive Hawkins, and niece, April Hawkins.
Gilbert was born in Bennington, VT.  He had a full childhood playing sports, learning carpentry, and developing his love of hunting and fishing. After graduating high school he joined the U.S. Navy, serving as an Electronics Technician.  While in the service Gilbert met and married Betty.  After the service he pursued a career in education, earning both a Bachelor of Arts from Castleton Teacher's College and Master of Arts from Boston College in Special Guidance.  After moving to Massachusetts, he retired as a guidance counselor in the Dover-Sherborn School system.
While teaching, he also engaged in carpentry by building one of the family homes along with the help of his children. He loved NASCAR and traveled to races along the eastern seaboard.  He continued to fish and hunt and also rode snow mobiles and motorcycles. Gil had a dry sense of humor that made you bow your head and chuckle. His sharp wit kept many on their toes. He and Betty took numerous road trips with the grandchildren as they loved to spend time with family.  He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Services will be held at a later date in Vermont.
Donations can be made to Hope Health Hospice and Palliative Care, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904.  ATTN: Philanthropy  (hopehealthco.org)
For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneral home.com
Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, MA.508-695-0200