Gilbert Conway Armstrong, Sr.

Gilbert Conway Armstrong, Sr., age 83, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 7, 2021, in Columbia, South Carolina, after a long bout with Alzheimer’s Disease.  He was born on August 18, 1937, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Lynwood and Dolores (Chapman) Armstrong.  Gil, as he was affectionately called, was a graduate of Edison High School in Philadelphia.  He married Cecelia Lyons in 1958 and to this union four children, Gilbert, Jr., Karen, Sharen, and Bryan, were born.  In 2008, after relocating to Canada, he married Jeanne Koselek and they were married until the time of his passing.  In May 2021, Jeanne agreed to letting her husband move back to the United States and placing him in a memory care facility in South Carolina, near Sharen and Bryan.  From that time, his health continued to decline.

Gilbert was in the United States Air Force for a short time and was also baptized while in the USAF.  He worked various jobs until landing the one he would later retire from at The Franklin Mint in Media, PA.  He was known as The Franklin Mint Ambassador whenever executives or representatives visited.  He had many beloved friends there.

Gilbert loved fishing, but was mostly known for his love of music, whether it was the oldies, but goodies or jazz.  As a young man, he was part of a music group that included his late brother Les and a few friends.  He loved playing the piano as well.  In West Philly, Gil had a reel-to-reel tape setup in his house and considered himself a DJ.  People loved hearing his voice as he announced the title and artist of songs he would play.  He would be the DJ at family gatherings where his daughter, Karen, loved picking up the microphone (or a fork or spoon) and singing along.  On Sunday mornings, Gil would always have the radio stations playing Sunday Morning Jazz, or Smooth Jazz.

Many of his family members, neighbors, and friends always talk about his “Gil-isms”.  They stated that he would always be heard saying, “Hey Cool!” or “Ciao!”  The most recent and most notable was when he would say, “This, that, or the other”.  It always brought a smile to our hearts when we spoke to him.

Gil was preceded in death by his father, Lynwood Armstrong, his mother, Dolores Chapman Armstrong Roundtree, and his brother Leslie Armstrong.  He leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife, Jeanne Koselek  of Barrie, Canada, his four children: Gilbert Armstrong, Jr. (Kermethia) of Largo, MD, Karen Brown (Brian, Sr.) of Springdale, MD, Sharen Brooks, and Bryan Armstrong, Sr. both of Columbia, SC, grandchildren: Quinn Armstrong-Ball (Howard) and Julius Armstrong, Brian Brown, Jr. and Michael Brown, Sean Purnell, and Bryan Armstrong, II, great-grandchildren: Milana Brown, Kuu’Luna Purnell and Kelalani Purnell, three sisters:  Janet McFadden (George), Joan Porter, and Joyce Robinson, one brother:  Garfield A. Roundtree (Kelly), Jeanne’s children:  Jacquie Johnson (Chuck), Kelly Koselek, Susan Crawford (Cal), a host of nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends.

The family plans to have a memorial service at a later date.  Acknowledgements may be sent to:  Sharen Armstrong Brooks, 1403 Elm Abode Terrace, Columbia, SC 29210.

DO NOT ASK ME TO REMEMBER by Owen Darnell

Do not ask me to remember, don’t try to make me understand.

Let me rest and know you’re with me, kiss my cheek and hold my hand.

I’m confused beyond your concept, I am sad and sick and lost.

All I know is that I need you, to be with me at all cost.

Do not lose your patience with me, do not scold or curse or cry.

I can’t help the way I’m acting, can’t be different though I try.

Just remember that I need you, that the best of me is gone.

Please don’t fail to stand beside me, love me ‘til my life is done.