Charles "Ed" Gilpin's Obituary
Charles E. Gilpin (Ed) died peacefully with family members and loving companion Burrill Haskell by his side on Monday, October 7th at his home as a result of an on-going cancer malignancy.
Ed was born on April 8th, 1930, Son of the late Lillian Jay, in Baltimore, MD. At the age of 17, he enlisted into The Marine Corps and was stationed on a Navy vessel during the Korean War. Following his honorable discharge from the service he entered the HVAC trade as a draftsman. He then married his High School sweetheart, Lois Hoover (Lois Gilpin). During the 1960’s, he changed his career to a sales position with an industrial instrumentation manufacturer Robertshaw Controls Co. In 1970 Ed became partner and Co-Owner of H.P. Rodgers, Inc., a Manufacturer’s Rep firm in Baltimore. Soon after this move, he purchased and became the sole owner of the firm. Ed sold the business and semi-retired in 1992. He and Lois then moved to Lewes, Delaware. After approximately 5 years they moved to Milton, Delaware and Ed fully retired.
As a man knowledgeable in carpentry, electrical and plumbing basics, Ed made many improvements to the Milton home. When all improvement aspects of the home were completed, he became discontent having no new home improvement projects to tackle. In the year 2000, at the age of 70, he decided to look for part-time employment. He came across an ad placed by the City of Lewes for a part-time Assistant Residential Building Inspector position. Ed was awarded the job.
He went on to hold that position with the city for seventeen years, helping homeowners and building contractors alike in the completion of their projects meeting the city’s code requirements. Ed’s technical knowledge, infectious personality and desire to “help” people endeared him to just about everyone who made his acquaintance. Ed became well known around Lewes and well liked. Everywhere he went, he would be greeted by someone he had helped as a public servant to the residents of Lewes.
The presence of Ed, a man in his 70’s and well into his 80’s, still so articulate, professional and knowledgeable, helping everyone he met became a wonder to all how a man of his age could be so young at heart. In 2017, at the age of 87 he retired (again). November 9th, 2019, Ed’s beloved wife of 65 years, Lois passed away from an ongoing battle with cancer. Early 2020 he sold the Milton home and moved to the city of Lewes to be near his many friends. Ed then met Burrill Haskell, and they became loving partners and remained so until Ed’s recent passing.
Living and remaining very sharp until the age of 94 years, Ed leaves a multitude of close friends of all ages. He is and will be deeply missed by many.
Quote by Bill Ayrey, good friend and Lewes resident: “I really admired Ed for so many reasons. He was an inspiration to all of us who aren’t kids anymore but realize there is still a lot of good living ahead if we live it like Ed did. He had so many admirers for that reason, but he had may friends just because he was such a nice guy, plain and simple.”
In addition to his loving partner Burrill Haskell, Ed is survived by his sons: Craig Gilpin and his wife Kimberly of Charleston, SC, and Gary Gilpin and his wife Curtis (Karen) Sorensen of Baltimore, MD. He considered himself blessed with his additional family of eight grandchildren, and four great grandchildren who he loved very much.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife Lois Gilpin, his son Douglas Gilpin and Douglas’s wife Karen Susette Gilpin.
A Celebration of Life gathering will be held for Ed at a time and place to be determined.
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