H. Gilbert Fox, Sr.

Woodgate- H. Gilbert (Gil) Fox, Sr. 84, passed away on Tuesday, December 20, 2016, while surrounded by the loving care of his wife, Joyce and his family, at Sunset Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Boonville. He was born in Rome, on May 9, 1932, a son of Harold Savery and Margaret Esther Gilbert Fox and he graduated from Rome Free Academy with the Class of 1950. Gil had a long career in law enforcement, beginning as a Deputy Sherriff for Oneida County Sherriff. Later Gil attended the New York State Police Academy, and for many years he was a State Trooper, stationed at Remsen. Gil began his interest in cooking and baking as a youth. Prior to his career in law enforcement, his first employment was as a baker at Rome State School. After his retirement from the State Police, for many years he operated North Country Catering and was famous over a wide area for his "Gil Fox" Chicken Barbeques, ham and roast beef dinners. On November 25, 1978, Gil was united in marriage with Martha Joyce Windecker, at St. James Episcopal Church of Clinton. Mr. Fox was a long time member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Boonville, and a member of Boonville-Uriel Masonic Lodge # 165, F & AM, The Ziyara Shriners of Utica, where he was Potentate in 1981, member of Mappa Chapter Order of Eastern Star, where he served as Patron, and was an officer for the N.Y. State Eastern Star, in 1971, for the Woods/Graves Group. He was also a member and Past Exalted Ruler of Boonville Elks Lodge # 2158, and an over 50 year and current active member of the Boonville-Oneida County Fair Association. In addition to his wife, Gil is survived by four sons and their wives, Hal, Jr. and Linda, Brian C. and Valerie, Bruce E. and Beth, Kevin D. and Brenda; eleven grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren; a sister in law, Shirley Fox, Rome; a brother in law, Fred Windecker, St. Ignace, MI; nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by a brother, Richard and by a sister, Eleanor DeVall. The Office for the Burial of the Dead, with The Holy Eucharist, will be said on Monday, December 26, 2016, at 11:00 A.M. at Trinity Episcopal Church, Schuyler St. Boonville, where Rev. Mother Linda Logan, Rector, will officiate. There are no calling hours. Interment in the spring will be in Boonville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church Memorial Fund or the Resident Activities Fund of Sunset Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 232 Academy St. Boonville, NY 13309.