Obituary for Gilbert Maurice Andre "Gilly Dee" Dhennin
Gilbert “Gilly Dee” lived an exciting life from an early age. Born in Lille, France he was the little brother to his sister, Nicole, who still lives in Lille. As a child learned wind instruments eventually choosing the Sax as his main instrument. He later became interested in the EWI from which he made the most beautiful music. He also played some keyboard and was wonderful at computer backup. He produced albums for many friends and acquaintances and developed the background music for Dr. Hanson’s biblical/historical productions. To his credit he played in “Jesus Christ Super Star” and “Hair”.
After college in France, Gil worked in a bank and played music on the weekends. It didn’t take long to realize that he made more money in 2 days playing music than all week in the bank. At 21 he quit the bank and travelled to Italy where he joined an Italian band under the leadership of Sandro, a friendship that lasted decades. They travelled the world…always to great reviews. One time they had a 6-month contract in Japan which kept being extended and turned into years! In Japan Gil met his first wife, Kathy, and had their daughter, Laurie Nicole. After Laurie’s birth Kathy felt she needed to return home to New York. Gil loved living in NYC. There he worked for CBS publishing which was later sold and moved to Orlando. Gil chose to move with the company and worked for them, under several company names, for 36 years!!
Orlando brought new experiences for Gil. He became part of ‘Mansion Maze’ which remains popular digitally. He played with several bands, entertaining at Bike Week and Octoberfest on the Atlantic beaches, before putting together his smaller, very popular ‘The Trouble Brothers’ first with vocalist Traci and then with Jody. For several years he was the house band at the Langford Hotel and developed a large following that continued until now. His weekly ‘Gils Gigs’ newsletter kept everyone informed where he would be playing. He stayed extremely busy, working every Friday night, Saturday night, Sunday morning at church, and 1 Monday and 1 Thursday a month and some weddings, anniversaries and birthdays thrown in there too. The Elks, Moose, Veterans, Italian American Club, French American Club were all glad to have Gil play his incredible sax and sing in French or Italian. There were many more; I apologize if I left you out.
December 2001, Gil met his current wife, Linda, her 3 grown sons, her dogs and horses. Gil took her to France & Italy to see his family and friends several times, enjoying each trip more and more, often taking spur of the moment side trips to other countries. The last visit Chloe, Linda’s young granddaughter, was able to join them. They had been assigned permanent guardianship and were able to acquire a passport for her.
His daughter, Laurie, married her sweetheart, Brian, and gave Gil two grandchildren, Tristan and Kira who he loved dearly and enjoyed being their Grampa! Gil looked forward to his Thursday lunches with his daughter who took him to different restaurants each time looking for delicious, healthy foods.
Ten years ago, Gil and Linda became volunteers with Florida Poodle Rescue. They often had dogs to foster so seeing 4 dogs sitting at attention around Gil was not unusual…he was the treat man. He shared everything with the dogs and it didn’t take them long to figure that out.
Looking at Gil’s Facebook page you see how truly loved he was by family, friends, acquaintances and those who only knew him on line. He was the kindest, most honest, gentleman that anyone could hope to know. He had planned to return to France to visit his sister, his nieces and nephews, their families and his friend since kindergarten, Ludovic; and to Italy to see his dearest friend, forever his band leader, Sandro. He would have gone in 2020 but for travel restrictions.
Around the world he is being mourned and his incredible life celebrated. He leaves behind a void that can never be filled because there will never be a man as ‘huge’ as Gilbert Maurice Andre Dhennin “Gilly Dee”, the man, the music, a legend! Forever in our hearts!
Memorial services for Gilbert “Gilly Dee” below.
West Oaks Church
Sunday, April 18th @ 10:30 am
8624 A D Mims Rd, Orlando, FL 32818
In Lieu of Floral Arrangements, our family asks that you please donate to: www.floridapoodlerescue.org
A Celebration of Life will also take place another day:
Date TBD; Information to Follow
Read More
After college in France, Gil worked in a bank and played music on the weekends. It didn’t take long to realize that he made more money in 2 days playing music than all week in the bank. At 21 he quit the bank and travelled to Italy where he joined an Italian band under the leadership of Sandro, a friendship that lasted decades. They travelled the world…always to great reviews. One time they had a 6-month contract in Japan which kept being extended and turned into years! In Japan Gil met his first wife, Kathy, and had their daughter, Laurie Nicole. After Laurie’s birth Kathy felt she needed to return home to New York. Gil loved living in NYC. There he worked for CBS publishing which was later sold and moved to Orlando. Gil chose to move with the company and worked for them, under several company names, for 36 years!!
Orlando brought new experiences for Gil. He became part of ‘Mansion Maze’ which remains popular digitally. He played with several bands, entertaining at Bike Week and Octoberfest on the Atlantic beaches, before putting together his smaller, very popular ‘The Trouble Brothers’ first with vocalist Traci and then with Jody. For several years he was the house band at the Langford Hotel and developed a large following that continued until now. His weekly ‘Gils Gigs’ newsletter kept everyone informed where he would be playing. He stayed extremely busy, working every Friday night, Saturday night, Sunday morning at church, and 1 Monday and 1 Thursday a month and some weddings, anniversaries and birthdays thrown in there too. The Elks, Moose, Veterans, Italian American Club, French American Club were all glad to have Gil play his incredible sax and sing in French or Italian. There were many more; I apologize if I left you out.
December 2001, Gil met his current wife, Linda, her 3 grown sons, her dogs and horses. Gil took her to France & Italy to see his family and friends several times, enjoying each trip more and more, often taking spur of the moment side trips to other countries. The last visit Chloe, Linda’s young granddaughter, was able to join them. They had been assigned permanent guardianship and were able to acquire a passport for her.
His daughter, Laurie, married her sweetheart, Brian, and gave Gil two grandchildren, Tristan and Kira who he loved dearly and enjoyed being their Grampa! Gil looked forward to his Thursday lunches with his daughter who took him to different restaurants each time looking for delicious, healthy foods.
Ten years ago, Gil and Linda became volunteers with Florida Poodle Rescue. They often had dogs to foster so seeing 4 dogs sitting at attention around Gil was not unusual…he was the treat man. He shared everything with the dogs and it didn’t take them long to figure that out.
Looking at Gil’s Facebook page you see how truly loved he was by family, friends, acquaintances and those who only knew him on line. He was the kindest, most honest, gentleman that anyone could hope to know. He had planned to return to France to visit his sister, his nieces and nephews, their families and his friend since kindergarten, Ludovic; and to Italy to see his dearest friend, forever his band leader, Sandro. He would have gone in 2020 but for travel restrictions.
Around the world he is being mourned and his incredible life celebrated. He leaves behind a void that can never be filled because there will never be a man as ‘huge’ as Gilbert Maurice Andre Dhennin “Gilly Dee”, the man, the music, a legend! Forever in our hearts!
Memorial services for Gilbert “Gilly Dee” below.
West Oaks Church
Sunday, April 18th @ 10:30 am
8624 A D Mims Rd, Orlando, FL 32818
In Lieu of Floral Arrangements, our family asks that you please donate to: www.floridapoodlerescue.org
A Celebration of Life will also take place another day:
Date TBD; Information to Follow
To plant a tree in memory of Gilbert Maurice Andre "Gilly Dee" Dhennin, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Memorial Service
Sunday
18
Apr
10:30 AM
West Oaks Church of God
8624 A D Mims Rd
Orlando, Fl 32818
In Lieu of Floral Arrangements, our family asks that you please donate to: www.floridapoodlerescue.org
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