Michigan Vanner's passing

It is with deep sorrow that I report the passing of fellow friend and vanner Rick Gilcrist of Garden City,Michigan. I just got the call from Howard Furtak. For years we all stayed at Rick's house on the weekend of the Baker's Early meet in Milford,Mi. If you attended Baker's, Gil was one of the guys that was a staple there every year so I'm sure you met him and his wife Deb. Rick was a long time vanner and he will be missed by many. My condolences go out to his wife Deb and the rest of his family.
Rick had just finished completely redoing his 64 Mercury 8 door van and barely got to enjoy it,what a shame. He always had a smile on his face,a big mug in his hand, and something nice to say. He was a great guy and I for one will surely miss his presence at the many meets he attended. I had just talked with Rick about 3 weeks ago. Such a shame we didnt talk a little longer. Things won't be the same without him.

never meet him but sorry to hear a fellow vanner passing.

Jewels & I are still in shock, as we just got the news via a friend in Florida! Rick was a great friend!

Wow, what a shock!
Gils was a great guy, he will be missed.

Rick will be missed. Rest in Peace old friend!

Our prayers go out to Ricks family. Sad to here of another great person leaving us.

Vanning lost a very bright light in Gills, way too soon. One who was always there to support vanning in any way he could. Gills and Deb opened their home and hearts to so many vanners passing through Detroit for the Bakers Early Gathering, the Action Vans annual party and Autorama. Here's a picture to help you remember Gills, taken at Vanfest 2012 of Gills in his Mercury and one of Gills with Deb at Butler 2010.

Didn't know Gills, but it always hurts to lose a member of a community, especially one who is so active in promoting and helping out.

And from all the great memories and comments posted, he must have been a good one. R.I.P. Prayers out to family!

Very sad. He was a great guy. Baker's won't be the same without him.

If you go to santeiufuneralhome.com you can access the obituary and visitation and funeral information. The obituary is for Richard Gilchrist. Then you can access and sign the guest book.

Man he was only 50! That's my age! Was this unexpected or has he been sick? Wow so sad!

I got to meet Rick this year at Bakers and he was a great guy. Talked to me and my wife like we had been there for many years, even though it was our first visit. He will be missed by many. Guess this is the eye opener that all of us need to look at our health to stay around as long as possible like our vehicles have.

Here is a pic from Baker's 2012 with Rick and his nice van. He was super excited about how many 8-Doors were there.

Just reinforces not to take family and friends for granted...Let them know how you feel.
Sounds like he and his wife were great friends to all.
Condolances to his family and friends. Seems like he left a lot of great memories for those around him.

This is a sad day for sure, Rick was always alot of fun to be around. Didn't know he was sick. Deb remember you and Rick were both some of the best vanners out there

Rick wasn't sick, it was a brain aneurysm and very sudden!
Shocking indeed! Gills was Loved by many Vanners!

These sudden ailments are scary as heck when you reach 50. Rick passed away suddenly and I have another friend in his 50's who until yesterday was the picture of health, he's now in a coma. His kidneys and liver shutdown out of the blue. Life is way too short.

The service for Rick will be in Garden City Michigan tomorrow, but there will be another service in Canada, in or around Guelph Ontario in the near future. We'll keep you posted.

Ill chime in on the losses we are having in life also.From =EXPERIENCE!!-Ive been very lucky- having medical insurance thru workplaces to cover general Physicals . blood workups & all meds. After we pass age 40 we all need some tests! Period- lets us be aware of what shape were in. After 50 more & more often -at least 1 time a year on the blood work. Believe me - its NEEDED!!=Insurance or not! Get it done.We all are way too valuable to each other, our wives,Gf & familys to let the expense of doing this =not let us get this needed tests . Id also add get the women on this regiment also. Our habits & lifestyles come into great attention on all this. Just isnt enough to watch our diets & do physical work-get the tests. I actually understand as of today - that alzheimers can now be tested for as early as 2 decades back. Everything that will kill us is =Preventable and all we need do is =Schedule & do it -Then we know!!Just like a honeymoon!!="GET HER DONE!!"

Awesome Guy. Yes very excited to have all the 8 doors et Bakers, Made sure we weren't going to leave Bakers till we lined up all the 8 doors.
Going to miss him.

Gils' wife Deb posted the following on vannin.com:

For anyone whom would like to attend the Memorial for Gils in Canada it is set for Friday, November 23rd at St. Agatha Community Center 1793 Erb Rd., in Kitchener. It is being held from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. It is being thrown by his best friends.