George J. Gil

George's life began in a loving family in Brooklyn, NY, in the neighborhood known as Bay Ridge, in 1953. By the time his father Raymond passed of ALS in 1975, he had already left home. His mother Anita, now 104 years old, and her other two sons: Raymond Jr., now married to a wonderful lady Cecily, and Peter, now married to a retired nurse Pat; who by the way were just blessed with a grandson, born May 30, 2020. Reminding me of one of his favorites by Blood Sweat and Tears - And When I die...rock on~~tried to keep the thread of their family together. Anita remains Faithfully in Love with Raymond to this day.



He enjoyed the country's biggest iconic free sex, drugs and rock and roll gathering, a few will remember, Woodstock, in 1969. It is there that many of his favorite musicians were cemented, but his #1 was Hot Tuna! We went whenever they played near us, Grand Targhee, Gallatin Gateway Inn and finally the Rialto, where, as a belated birthday gift in September 2019, I, with the help of many others, arranged a backstage meeting with Jorma - he was speechless!



Backing up a bit ... his wanderlust spirit drew him to the majestic mountains of Aspen, CO, where he enjoyed living the life of a ski bum/instructor. His skiing style could only be described as graceful dancing upon the snow. This is also where we met in 1977, remaining friends but with very individual lives, until once again our path crossed, this time for good, in Telluride, CO in 1991.



Again, only together, our adventurous souls drew us here, to Big Sky, for one ski season which has turned out to be many more.



We visited his mother Anita, celebrating her birthday as well as Mother's Day, yearly only missing her 101st due to Cancer and her 104th this year~so sad~so sorry. George helped build the Tram and got a charge out of riding his 10 speed UP the mountain while half his age kids took the lift! He built our home with many of our friends, as one of the two things in life I wanted; in return, I bought him the Anniversary Issue Harley Sportster, as one of the two things in life HE wanted. The other thing we equally wanted, was what we found in each other’s hearts. Many referred to him as 'the Dude with the Beard' and a glorious one it was, parting in the middle as he rode.



Our time together included a lot of hard, honest ‘old school’ work, believing that there truly is a difference of making a good living and selling your soul to make a living. We shared many Concerts, Hot Springs, and Rides, me of course being the Bi*^# on back.



His long, painful struggle with Cancer for over three years ended peacefully on May 29, 2020. Rain began tapping our windows, quickly becoming a torrent. Thunder sounded like it was in our attic and felt like lightning struck our home at least twice! Nothing like 'Hear me Roar' being the Leo that he was.



I may have lost his warmth to hold, his holding and protection of me, but not his loving spirit, it remains in my broken heart, forever cherished until the day of my passing when we can once again be together. I hear you can ride the clouds and ski the rainbows, so maybe he will be happy until then. I Love you George, You are and Always will be the Love of my Life, Always in my Heart, your Lady Misty.