Francis Gilman

OXFORD - Francis J. Gilman Sr., 81, of Crescent Street, died Sunday, April 5, 2009, at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Doris M. (Zinkowsky) Gilman of Oxford; three children, Carol A. Pielocik and her husband William of Lakeland, FL, Francis J. Gilman Jr. and his wife Carol of Sturbridge, and Sandra J. Daniel and her husband Mark of Southbridge; and three grandchildren Tanya Gilman, Christine Carofaniello and her husband Anthony, and Charles Gilman, all of Sturbridge. He was born in Spencer, the son of the late Francis P. and Emma R. (Sourdif) Gilman, and lived in Spencer before moving to Oxford over 50 years ago. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. Mr. Gilman was a supervisor at the Massachusetts Highway Department in Charlton and Brookfield for many years, retiring in 1990. He was a member of St. Roch's Church in Oxford. Mr. Gilman enjoyed playing golf, cards, horseshoes, and going to Foxwoods. A funeral service and burial will be private. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942. Paradis Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oxford, is assisting the family with arrangements.