NORWICH – Gilbert N. Pedersen Jr., 69, of The Villages, Fla., and formerly of Norwich, entered through the gates of Heaven on Monday, April 30, 2012 at his home in The Villages, Fla. in the arms of his loving wife Michele.
Gil was born Jan. 28, 1943 in South Ozone Park, the son of Helen and the late Gilbert Pedersen Sr. Gil grew up in Holbrook. During his youth, he was an altar boy for his church; he was a member of the Boy Scouts, the LI Air Cadets and was a volunteer fireman. He and his children moved to Norwich in 1973 where he owned and operated the Pedersen Plumbing and Heating Company until his retirement in 2011. Gil was of the Episcopalian faith; he was a member of the Lions, Elks and Veterans of Foreign Wars clubs. Gil’s children and grandchildren were his pride and joy. In addition to his family, Gil dedicated most of his life to his business and teaching others all that he knew. Gil was a remarkable man. He enjoyed teaching his children, apprentices in his employ, friends and acquaintances. Throughout the years, he volunteered his time at BOCES where he helped teach the plumbing and heating trade to students. Gil was an extremely talented man – his reputation precedes him. He was well known in the community for his support and contributions, and as ‘the guy who could build anything’; people would say “if you can’t find it, ask Gil, he will build it.”
Gil enjoyed many hobbies in his life time including Stock Car Racing, Antique Car Restoration, building hot rods and rebuilding cars he would buy from salvage yards; building a motor home out of an old school bus to use while traveling to various Nascar Races in the Northeast and Daytona, Fla.; being involved in two of his grandchildren’s drag racing hobby and of late he enjoyed spending the summers camping and boating at Sylvan Beach; but his main interests were ‘playing’ in his ‘toy room’ using his milling machine, lathe, wood working, and metal machining tools and equipment and various other tools and equipment to create, build and fabricate everything imaginable from inventing and building tools to building exquisite bird houses and his own ‘fancy’ golf cart and helping others in any way he could. Gil was the happiest when he was spending time with his family, when a project came out well, when he was able to make others happy and seeing the smile on someone’s face whom he had helped.
On Aug. 15, 1981 in Norwich, he married his soul mate Michele (Miller) Pedersen, who survives. They made their home in Norwich until 2012, when they moved to The Villages, Fla. so Gil could enjoy the balance of his life in Florida’s friendliest hometown and to enjoy using the golf cart he built.
Besides Michele, Gil is survived by his mother, Helen Pedersen of Norwich; sons Daniel (Elizabeth) of Norwich, Darren (Patricia) of Canastota; daughter Denise (Robert II) Pedersen-Matz of Coram; six grandchildren, Robert III, James, Desire’, Bryan of Coram, Ryan and Alexa of Canastota; sisters: Arlene Scionti of Patchogue, Diane (Dennis) Schlafer of Norwich; his brother-in-law Donald (Judy) of West Palm Beach, Fla. and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends in New York and Florida and his canine buddy - Roscoe.
A celebration of life for Gilbert will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 9. The family will receive friends at his sister’s home at 365 Manley Road.
Memorial contributions in Gil’s memory can be made to either Hospice, The American Cancer Society or to the Syracuse Upstate Cancer Center Campaign.