Gilbert died peacefully at home on Sunday, May 31st after a courageous and dignified 6 year battle with cancer. Every day he strove to enjoy his life between the numerous painful treatments and surgeries he endured. He was a inspiration to other cancer patients, physicians and particularly to his many friends and family who loved him and admired him for bearing it all without a complaint. He did his best to “rally” for all occasions. His family is grateful to Monmouth Medical Center staff for their professionalism and compassion.
When Gilbert was 13 years old, his father was struck and killed while crossing a street in South Belmar. A compassionate South Belmar police officer who later rose to become chief of that department looked out for him and was Gilbert’s inspiration to becoming a police officer, always answering a call for help whether on duty of off.
A retired Long Branch Police Captain who served the city from 1977 – 2012, he started as a foot patrolman, then Undercover Investigator for the Monmouth County Narcotics Strike Force, Radar Coordinator, Underwater Recovery Team Coordinator, Assistant Patrol Commander, Support Services Commander, Detective Commander, and the first Hispanic Police Sergeant, Police Lieutenant and Captain. He was an instructor at the Monmouth County Police Academy, and he served as a Spanish language translator in the Ocean, Eatontown and West Long Branch courts. He received several Letters of Commendation, a Badge of Honor from the Monmouth County Sherriff’s Office and a City of Long Branch Community Service Award. He was also named Man of the Year by the Latino American Committee of Monmouth County, and was a member of the Long Branch Elks and Rotary Club. After retirement, Gilbert was employed as an investigator by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, Facial Recognition Program, and most recently was an investigator with the Office of Consumer Protection for the State Attorney General’s Office.
Gilbert enjoyed playing softball in various leagues throughout the years, playing golf and boating with his wife, Diane, on their Formula Cruiser “R Lighthouse”. He served as Commodore of the Long Branch Ice Boat and Yacht Club from 2012-2014, restoring the club after the devastation of Storm Sandy.
Gilbert is survived by his devoted wife, Diane Melody Horrach, who adored and cherished him with all her heart, his loving daughter, Jill Horrach and Lisandro Gonzalez, his stepsons Eugene Melody III and his wife Denise, Michael Melody, Adrian Waller and grandchildren Analyn and Sienna Melody and Niles Waller. Also surviving are his mother Maria Webster, brothers Wilfred Horrach and his wife Traci, William Horrach and his wife Marta, mother-in-law Lillian Fitzpatrick, sisters-in-law Kathy Crisp and Walt, Linda Kaiser and Mike, brother-in-law Philip Fitzpatrick and extended family.
Good night, 186. Rest in peace.
Friends and family are invited from 3-8 pm on Thursday, June 4th at Woolley-Boglioli Funeral Home, 10 Morrell Street. Long Branch PBA services officiated by Monsignor Lowery will be at 8 pm at the funeral home.. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gilbert’s memory to Long Branch PBA #10, PO Box 4044, Long Branch, NJ 07740. To share a favorite memory of Gilbert or send a message of condolence please visit Gilbert’s Book of Memories at www.woolleyboglioli.com
