WINSLOW – Gilman “Gil” Leo Madore, Jr., 60, passed away on July 3, 2024, after a years-long battle with cancer.

Born in Melrose Park, Illinois on June 2, 1964, the sixth of seven children, Gil was a member of the Waterville High School Class of 1982. He received his degree in metallurgy from Eastern Maine Vocational Technical Institute in the late 1980s.

Gil worked at the Somerset SAPPI plant for 29 years and was a member of the United Steelworkers USW Local 9. He was a Mason for 25 years and member of Siloam Lodge #92 in Fairfield, Maine, serving for a time as Master of the Lodge.

Gil was a Big Brother with the Big Brother/Big Sister program. He was a spokesperson for this organization and coined the phrase “Get off the Couch” to encourage other men to become Big Brothers and mentors to young boys. In his younger years, Gil was a camper and a camp counselor at Camp Kennebec during the 1970s and early 1980s. His trips to the Allagash were his favorite outings and instilled in him a love of the land which he shared with so many others.

Gil’s favorite place on earth was his “Man Camp” on Caribou Lake in the unorganized territory T3R12. He was a mentor to his many nephews, teaching them boating, fishing, fire-building, hunting and proper gun safety skills. Gil’s love of the land lives on in these young men. Additionally, he fostered many friendships while at his camp, forming bonds that supported and sustained him to the last days of his life. This was evident in the dedication many of his friends showed, offering their time and talents to fulfill Gil’s dream of expanding the camp and providing a place for future generations.

Gil was a talented craftsman in the arts of metallurgy, lumbering and carpentry. He was a gifted welder, and he loved felling trees—the bigger the better. And if you’re one of the lucky ones, you have a set of Adirondack chairs specially made for you sitting on your deck.

Gil was preceded in death by his father, Gilman Leo Madore, Sr. and a nephew.

Gil is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Mary Roy Madore, her parents Arthur and Dolores Roy, stepdaughters, Kate-Lynne MacKenzie Poulin (Brian) of Winslow and Heather MacKenzie Thorne (Nick) of Winslow and his five grandchildren, Bradley, Sydney and Emma Poulin; and Brayden and MacKenzie Thorne, to whom he was lovingly known as “Grizz.” He is also survived by his mother Nancy Gallagher and stepfather Mike Gallagher of Oakland; siblings Kevin Madore (Olivia Atherton), Mike Madore, Sharon Madore, Lynn Brochu (Gary), Theresa Butler and Gigi Madore, MD (Marsha Nelson); as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, July 12, at the Poulin-Turner Union Hall, 653 Waterville Road, Skowhegan, beginning at 3 p.m.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street, Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed, and condolences and memories shared at http://www.gallantfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the deceased’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This link will take you directly to Gil’s memorial page: St. Jude Memorial Fund: Gilman Madore – St. Jude Memorial Funds (stjude.org).