Michel J. Gilbert, 73, of Warwick, passed away Friday, November 8, 2024. He was the beloved husband of Jeanette (DePino) Gilbert, with whom he shared over 40 years; the caring father of Tom Fiander and his wife Katie; brother of Elizabeth Buratczuk and her husband Dmytro; cherished grandfather of Maya and Sage Fiander; he is also survived by many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Rhoda (DelBarone) Fletcher and her husband Samuel, and brother of the late Sam Fletcher.
A graduate of Bishop Hendricke's class of 1969, Michel was a member of the school band, newspaper staff, and student council. He was also a student manager in the athletics department and a student assistant in the main office. He later became a member of Hendricken’s Board of Directors and Alumni Association and assisted in organizing many school events. He also received the Alumni Service Award in 2000 at the Seventh Annual Hall of Fame ceremony.
Michel spent 25 years working with the NHL & AHL, during which time he was involved in Marketing, Public Relations, Promotions, Merchandising, and season ticket sales. He worked with many teams including the Rhode Island Reds, the New Haven Nighthawks where he met his wife, the Los Angeles Kings, and was the first Marketing Director for the Providence Bruins.
He accepted a position in the sales department with local RI NBC, WJAR-NBC-10, and worked there for 8 years. During this time, he returned to school, receiving his bachelor’s degree in marketing, and master’s degree in global leadership from Johnson & Wales University.
He went on to become an Associate Professor at Johnson & Wales University, teaching in the Department of Sports, Entertainment, and Event-Management for many years, and he was the faculty mentor for the Men’s Ice Hockey Team. He was also employed at Topgolf, working part-time as a Platinum Host.
Michel was the Co-founder & Chairman/CEO of Rock-N-Jock Charities for 17 years during which the RNJC donated over $650,000 to local charities for children and families living in Rhode Island that suffer from life-threatening illnesses.
Michel was an avid golfer and a member at Potowomut Golf Club. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and cherished every opportunity to be with his family. He genuinely loved every part of his life, and he will be missed by everyone that had the opportunity to spend time with him.
Relatives and friends are invited to join his Visitation on Sunday, November 17, 2024, from 4:00-7:00PM in the Thomas and Walter Quinn Funeral Home, 2435 Warwick Ave, Warwick. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, November 18, 2024, at 10:00AM in St. Michael Church, 29 Wooster Pl, New Haven, CT 06511, followed by a burial in St. Lawrence Cemetery, 280 Derby Ave, West Haven, CT 06516. All guests attending the Funeral Services should meet directly at St. Michael Church.
Instead of flowers, donations in Michel’s honor may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online at: https://www.stjude.org/donate.
For online tributes and condolences, please visit: www.TheQuinnFuneralHome.com
