CHESAPEAKE, VA

John Laurent Gilbert, 47, of Chesapeake, passed away after a two year battle with cancer.

Born in Azusa, CA he was the youngest son of Beatrice Gilbert and the late Lucien Gilbert. John entered the U.S. Navy in 1983, serving aboard various ships, including the USS T.C. Hart and USS Enterprise. He retired in 2010 from AIRLANT Naval Station Norfolk. He continued serving the military as a private contractor for the many aircraft carriers he loved so much. He will be remembered for his ability to work with his hands.

Including his mother, John is survived his loving wife, Barbara L. Gilbert; his sons, Justin L. Gilbert and Bryan A. Gilbert; a sister, Diane Moreau; brothers, Marc Gilbert and Denis Gilbert, as well as various aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family.

A funeral mass will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 23, 2012 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 621 Cedar Road, Chesapeake. Father Romeo Jazmin will officiate. The interment with full military honor will be conducted at 12:00 p.m., Monday, June 25, 2012 in the Albert G. Horton Memorial State Veterans Cemetery, 5310 Milners Road, Suffolk.

A Christian Wake service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Friday at the Great Bridge Chapel of Oman Funeral Home & Crematory, 653 Cedar Road, Chesapeake; followed by a visitation until 8:30 p.m.