Clarence Gilson Clarence Gilson
In Memory of
Clarence E. "Bugsy"
Gilson
1939 - 2018
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Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home
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Obituary for Clarence E. "Bugsy" Gilson

Clarence Eugene Gilson, 78, of Erie, PA died Tuesday, May 8, 2018 peacefully with his family at UPMC Hamot.
He was born in Titusville, PA on September 26, 1939, son of the late Lee and Dora Sherman Gilson. His mother worked at Murphy’s five & dime and his dad for the Pennsylvania Railroad.
He graduated from Rocky Grove High School in 1958. Clarence lived in Titusville and Reno, PA when he was younger and later moved to Erie where he worked for Lord Corporation for a year and then went to work for General Telephone & Electronics (GTE) as repairman and installer for 27 years before retiring in 1993. He attended church at Trinity United Methodist Church and Wesleyville Methodist Church. Clarence was a member of the Local #1637 IBEW, the Eighth Air Force Historical Society and the Siebenbuerger Club.
Clarence joined the Air Force in 1961 and was stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi and at Loring Air Force Base in Loring, Maine where he worked on the classified electronics for airplanes. He received his honorable discharge in 1965 as a senior airman.
Clarence loved being retired. He enjoyed playing golf, going on vacations, watching the races at Eriez Speedway & Lake Erie Speedway, visiting train museums, traveling to Florida to see his relatives, going on casino trips to New York and Niagara Falls, but most of all he loved being with his friends, family and his grandchildren.
He was proceeded in death by his, two brothers Emory Gilson in 1930 and William Lee Gilson in 2014, his step-dad, Paul H. Fergus in 1972, his son, Glen Allen Gilson in 1992 and his wife, Karen Anne Perry Gilson in 2000 to whom he was married to for 32 and a half years.
Survivors include his son, William L. Gilson and his wife Robin of Erie, four grandchildren Devin, Darrin, Alayna and Kiana Gilson, his step-brother, Barney Fergus of Erie, two nieces, Jackie Myers of Florida and Terri Strike of Tennessee, several cousins of the Kalkbrenners in Centerville, PA and cousins of the Van Cises from Townville and Meadville, PA. He is also survived by his wonderful friend and companion, Sandy Gunesch of Erie, whom he enjoyed spending time with and cared for dearly.
Friends may call at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home, Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Rd., Erie, PA 16504 on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of funeral service there at 11:30 a.m. officiated by Rev. Mark Harris from First Alliance Church. Burial will follow in Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery.

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