Last updated: 03-23-2010
George Guilford "Gil" Mitchell
(1940-2009)
It is with great sorrow that we share the news that Gil Mitchell, our International Webmaster, has passed away. According to his wife Tama, Gil passed away in the early morning hours on December 23, 2009.
For those of you lucky enough to know Gil, you know that he was the source of technical knowledge and inspiration that took our organization into the 21st century. He was a friend and brother to many, and he was recognized for his unquestionable loyalty to the Blue Knights. Everyone knows Gil as the Webmaster.
In memory of Gil, information is provided below and updates will be posted as soon as Celebration of Life services are scheduled in the Spring.
Gil's family will have a grave side service at the NH Veteran's Cemetery in Boscawen, NH (Map) on May 28th, 2010 at 11am.
Arrangements have been made with the Holiday Inn, Concord, NH to hold approximately 15 rooms for Thursday night (27th) at a rate of $95 plus tax (regular rate is $139). The hotel will hold those rooms until the beginning of May. More rooms can be reserved if arrangements are made with the family.
The hotel is
Holiday Inn
172 North Main Street
Concord, NH 03301 (Map)
Front desk phone: +1 (603) 224-9534.
If attending, please specify you are booking with Gil Mitchell Memorial Gathering and let Gil's wife Tama know you have made arrangements.
All Blue Knights are welcome to ride in the procession from the hotel to the cemetary. The Patriot Guard will assist with traffic during the 20 minute procession from the hotel to the cemetary. The funeral procession will stage in the back parking lot of hotel at 9:45am, and depart promptly at 10:30am.
Following the funeral, there will be a catered luncheon back at the hotel. There, friends and family can reminisce and celebrate his life. For those that are flying in, NH I has agreed to help shuttle people to the hotel from the airport. Because the family needs an exact head count for this luncheon, Please RSVP Directly with Tama with the number of guests in your party planning to attend the luncheon.
Tama Mitchell - t@blueknight.net
HILLSBOROUGH, NH -- George Guilford "Gil" Mitchell, 69, died Dec. 23, 2009, at home after a bout with cancer.
He was born in October, 1940, in Cranston, R.I., to George A. and Grace (Warner) Mitchell. He grew up in Warwick, R.I., and then attended Keene High School, graduating in 1958. While in high school, he was a member of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. After high school, he joined the U.S. Air Force and served as a communication specialist in Newfoundland. He sold insurance, real estate, worked security with Caldor and New Hampshire College, was a police officer and dispatcher with the Hillsborough and Deering police departments, did private security, and finally, was a dispatcher for Manchester Airport.
He obtained a bachelor of science degree from New Hampshire College in 1983. Throughout his life he had a variety of interests, including Drum & Bugle Corps, archery, showing Great Pyrenees and Newfoundlands at dog shows, and was a ham radio enthusiast, call sign W1GIL. He was a 28-year member of the Hillsborough Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 1091, a member of Hillsborough American Legion Post 59 and a 25-year member of the Blue Knights Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club.
He put 98,000 miles on his 1984 Kawasaki traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada. He started the Blue Knight LEMC Bulletin Board more than 20 years ago and served as the international Webmaster of the Blue Knights for many years. Self taught, he assisted many members and chapters with computer and Web assistance. A private and humble man, he recently discovered during his illness the impact he had on so many lives around the world.
Mr. Mitchell was of Narragansett Nation decent. Thunder Bear is now embarking on his spiritual journey to join his relatives. The family includes his wife of 28 years, Tama, of Hillsborough; brothers John of Hillsborough, David and Gary of Florida, Duane of Rhode Island and Paul and Douglas of Massachusetts; and several nieces and nephews.
