Howard E. Gilson Jr, 84, of Winter Street, Claremont, died February 21, 2009 at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center after a long illness.

He was born June 22, 1924, the son of Howard E. Sr. and Bessie (Kendall) Gilson. He was a veteran of WWII in the US Navy and in his return joined the National Guard for twenty years and retired as a Captain.

Howard was a letter carrier for the Newport Post Office retiring in 1975.

The family includes his wife Shirley L. (Cote) Gilson whom he married on November 22, 1943; two sons Steven James Gilson and his wife Darleen of Utah and Robert D. Gilson and his wife Stephanie of Newport, NH; one sister Arline Fay; six grandchildren, three nieces and three nephews.

Funeral services will be held privately at a later date.

The family suggest donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.