Strafford, NH- On May 17, 2020, Thomas Richard Gilbert, Jr., age 72, passed from this life and ascended to our Heavenly Father’s house in Heaven. He was born on June 17, 1947 in Yokohama, Japan, to the late Thomas Richard Gilbert, Sr. and Toshiko (Shimada) Gilbert. He moved with his family from Japan to Portsmouth, NH in 1959. He grew up in Portsmouth, graduating from Portsmouth High School in 1965. Tom joined the United States Army shortly after graduation, serving during the Vietnam War in Company B, 4th Battalion, 68th Armor Division. He was wounded on a Reconnaissance mission while at war in Vietnam and later awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his service and sacrifice. After his military service, he returned home to New Hampshire and worked as a parts manager at Bournival before working for many years at Northern Utilities, retiring as a Fleet Manager. He married his true love, Joy (Parsons) Gilbert in 1981. They spent 37 years together in marriage until she gained her angel wings in June 2018. Tom was a former member of the Christian Life Church in Eliot, Maine. Tom was a motorcycle enthusiast, getting his first motorcycle at the age of 16. He was passionate about riding motorcycles, especially through the White Mountains, he was an avid gun collector, and was always fascinated with the military and history. In his earlier years, he enjoyed building intricate models of planes, tanks and ships. He will forever be remembered for his kind heart, patience, and willingness to help others in any way he could. He met and kept many friends close to him throughout his life journey. It was important to him to stay in touch with his relatives in Japan and Pennsylvania. He is survived by his sister, Mary Gilbert of Portsmouth, NH, brother, Mark Gilbert of Stratham, NH as well as his two sons; Peter Gilbert and his wife, Kathy (Cannon) Gilbert of Rochester, NH, their children, Devon, Kinsey, Gianna and Nicholas, and son Jonathan Gilbert and his wife Emily (Ferguson) Gilbert and their daughter Julianna Gilbert also of Rochester, NH. He was predeceased by his parents and brother Frederick Michael Gilbert of Boise, Idaho. A small graveside service for family only will be held at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in Tom’s honor to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.support.woundedwarriorproject.org.