Obituary: Milton Kilberg
Milton Kilberg, 96, of Orlando, passed away May 18, 2019, peacefully at home with his family at his side after a short illness.
Milton Kilberg, 96, of Orlando, passed away May 18, 2019, peacefully at home with his family at his side after a short illness. He was grandfather to Bradford and his wife Marissa Wilkins of Atlanta.
“Milt” was born August 18, 1922, in Providence, R.I., the son of Jacob and Fanny Kilberg. He met the love of his life Geraldine “Gerri” Lightstone of Philadelphia after winning a coin flip on which girl he’d be able to take out. The basherts were married within the year on Sept. 11, 1948, and remained happily married for the last 70-plus years. When asked the secret to a long marriage, he was quick to remind people that she was the boss and he was nothing. Then with a wink and smile, he’d let everyone know she was the “boss over nothing.”
Milt enlisted in the Navy in 1942 and proudly served on the USS Saratoga during World War II. Following his service to our country, he earned his degree in accounting from the University of Rhode Island. After graduation, he worked more than 35 years for RCA/GE, most notably on the top-secret (later declassified) Lunar Express project.
In 1996, Milt and Gerri moved to Orlando to be closer to their daughter, Ilene Wilkins, CEO of UCP of Central Florida, and their grandchildren. Milt had a wonderful sense of humor and a love for his New England and Philadelphia sports teams. He also enjoyed gambling, most notably beating “Jimmy the Greek” in a card game. In later years, he found more enjoyment with scratch-off tickets.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Gerald Kilberg and sisters Selma Berlin and Ruth Werfel. He is survived by his wife, Gerri, only daughter Ilene, grandchildren Truman, Jake, Nick, Brie, Bradford, Shawn Christine, Ray and Mark Wilkins and their father, Ron Wilkins. Milt is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren, including Jonah Shai Wilkins of Atlanta, and many nieces and nephews. The family requested that in lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider a gift to the Milton Kilberg Summer Camp Scholarship at UCP of Central Florida.
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