Gilbert E. Duarte, 89, formerly of West Beutel Road in Port Washington died Monday, March 29, 2010 at his St. Mary’s and Felician Village residence in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

He was born September 8, 1920 in Hayward, California to Manuel and Anna Soares Duarte.  Know to many as Gibby, he met his wife through letters.  He was a pen pal to Celia Biever of the town of Port Washington and she moved to California for a couple of years.  They came to Wisconsin and were married at St. Mary’s Church in Port Washington on June 30, 1956.  The couple live on West Beutel Road for many years until their health began to fail and they moved to Cedar Springs in Cedarburg and more recently to Manitowoc.

Gibby worked as a cabinet maker for Richardson Furniture in Sheboygan Falls and later for the former Lakeshore Display in Port Washington.  He then worked at Goebel Woodworking and the Streff Shop, both in Port Washington.  From 1970 to 1986 he worked as a custodian for the Port Washington Saukville School District, mainly at Port Washington High School.  He was a former usher at St. Mary’s Church for many years and was a very social man.  He enjoyed cooking and tending to the garden.

He is survived by his wife Celia of Manitowoc, brother-in-law Harold Biever of Campbellsport, sisters-in-law Clara (Gerald) Ott of Green Bay and Esther (the late Robert) Hermann of Cleveland, Wisconsin, nieces, nephews and friends.  Preceded in death by his sister Theresa O’Connor and brother  Clifford Duarte and sister-in-law Gladys Duarte.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 AM Monday, April 5, 2010 at St. Mary’s at Felician Village in Manitowoc.  Interment St. Mary’s Cemetery, Port Washington.  Visitation 10:30 AM to 11 AM at St. Mary’s at Felician Village, 1635 S 21st Street, Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

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