Gilbert L. Fair

Gilbert Louis Fair, age 95, passed away on January 9, 2012, at Hospice of Northwest Ohio.He was born on February 1, 1916 in Toledo to the late Charles and Wilhemina Minnie Humbrecht Fair. In 1937, he married Victoria Mary Sowinski, who proceeded him in death in 1998. Throughout their marriage, they shared their love of dance be it the jitterbug, waltz, or polka. He spent all of his life in Toledo, attending Jones Junior High and graduating from Libbey High School in 1933 first member of his family to graduate from high school. While at Libbey, he was a member of the Forum Literary Society and participated in baseball and basketball. During his senior year, the Libbey baseball team made it to the Ohio State High School Championship game, losing to a Youngstown team in the finals. After high school graduation, Gil joined the workforce at the AutoLite until the company left Toledo. While there, he was a member of both their basketball and baseball teams. Afterward, Mr. Fair started his employment with the City of Toledo. He was a keeper of the birds at the Toledo Zoo until 1978. He retired from the City in 1983. Throughout his life, he would assist with the family-owned Fair Piano Movers when needed. He served with the U.S. Army in Japan from 1945-1946 and was a member of the American Legion in Maumee, Ohio. In addition to his work career, Gil played Federation baseball and basketball 1936-1940. He refereed and umpired from 1940 until 1983, including basketball high school, Federation, and freshman-level college events, baseball high school, college including UT games, Federation, and District Championships, and mens softball Federation, District Championships, National Championships, as well as at the girls high school level. After retiring from officiating, he remained active in sports as a participant in slow-pitch softball. In 1991 at age 75, Gil was a member of the Class B Church League City of Toledo champions as the starting 2nd baseman with teammates who were 40-50 years younger. From 1984 until 2008, winters were spent at their Lakeland, Florida home. In the early 1990s through 2008, Gil participated in the Polk County Florida Senior Games. He earned all-around trophies for 6 separate years and held age group records for many events. He participated in sprints, long jump 72 at age 90, the 1500 and 5000 meter walk, punt-pass-kick event, basketball events foul shot, field goal shot, timed shots, softball throw, Frisbee throw, shot put, and Senior Smarts event. To this day, he holds records in three events in the 85-89 age group. Numerous central Florida newspapers published articles about his senior Olympic participation. In 2002, he was featured in a segment regarding Florida Senior Olympics on Fox News Tampa Bay. From 1997 through 2002, he participated in the Senior Olympics of Northwestern Ohio, receiving many first-place awards. Gil will be remembered as an avid physical fitness devotee. He could be seen walking the trails at Swan Creek Metro Park in the summer. After he sold his home on Cragmoor Avenue, where he lived for over 50 years, Gil regularly jogged on the treadmill and exercised in the fitness room at the Browning Masonic Community, Waterville, OH, where he had lived independently for the past 2 years. The July/August 2010 edition of the Ohio Masonic magazine The Beacon featured an article about his healthy lifestyle and exercise regimen. He received a 65-year member award from the Masons where he was a member of the Yondota Masonic Lodge now Paragon Masonic Lodge and was a 50+ year member of the American Legion. He was a life-long member of the United Methodist Church of St. Andrews formerly Colburn Evangelical United Methodist. Gil is included in some of the experiences described by Maury Steamtrain Graham Hobo King of the East in his book, Tales of the Iron Road. They were friends throughout their lives. He was diligent at corresponding with friends and relatives, and the letters always included comments on the economy, current political situation, and college sports news. Preceding him in death were brothers Murlin, Varrel, and Marvin Tom and sisters Lucille Heath and Geraldine Dungan. Surviving are children, Gilbert S., of Wilson, NC and Victoria David Gallagher, of Perrysburg, OH; grandchildren Julie Kilbride, Jill George Rodenburg, Cameron Gallagher, and Marcy Gallagher as well as 6 great grandsons. Also left to cherish his memory are many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 16th, at 10:30 a.m., at the United Methodist Church of St. Andrew, 3620 Heatherdowns, Toledo. Memorial contributions may be made to the Polk Senior Games, 515 East Boulevard Street, Bartow, Florida 33830; Hospice of Northwest Ohio, 30000 East River Road, Perrysburg, OH 43551; or to a charity of the donors choice. Arrangements by Walker Funeral Home, Toledo. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.