Harvey Gil's Obituary
Harvey Gil, age 85, of Eunice, La., died Sunday, February 28, 2010, at Regional Medical Center of Acadiana in Lafayette, La. Harvey was a graduate of Eunice High School and Southwestern Louisiana Institute. He received a master’s degree from Louisiana State University. He served in the United States Navy in the Hawaiian Islands during World War II.
After returning from the war and completing his education he began a life of service to the children and community of Eunice and to the retarded children of Louisiana.
Throughout Harvey's career and beyond he worked for the betterment of education by being actively involved in organizational work on a local, parish and state level. Harvey was principal of Highland Elementary, a role he served from 1959 until his retirement. In his earlier years he also served the children of Eunice by his active involvement in Boy Scouts and Little League
Baseball.
Harvey was a member of the Lions Club where he held various offices. He received numerous civic honors, including Lions Club Humanitarian of the Year and Rotary Club, Citizen of the Year.
Harvey was a dedicated advocate for retarded children and served on the board of directors of the state Association for Retarded Children. He was also president of Pinecrest Parent's Association for several years.
He was an active member of St. Thomas More parish and served as lector until his death. Also he served as a member of the Acadian Medical Center hospital service board at the parish level.
He is survived by his wife Betty Doucet Gil of Eunice, La. Two Sons, Bernard Gil & Corrie of Tucson, Arizona and Steven Gil of Eunice, La.; Three grandsons,
Nicholas, Dereck, & Luke Gil of Tuson, Arizona and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his Parents, Bryan & Gertrude Stevens Gil; Daughter, Liz Gil; Brothers, Paul, Lester, & Charles Gil; Sister, Helen Gil Davis.
The family would like to thank the nursing staff at Regional Medical Center ICU for the loving care they gave to Harvey.
A visitation will be at Quirk & Son Funeral Home from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM (service time) Friday, March 5, 2010 with a rosary @ 10:00 AM. Funeral service will be at St. Thomas More Catholic Church at 2:00 PM Friday, March 5, 2010 with internment following at St. Thomas More Cemetery in Eunice, La. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Eunice Food Bank, St. Edmunds Building Fund, or charity of choice. Quirk & Son Funeral Home, 121 S. 6th. Street of Eunice is in charge of arrangements.
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