Obituaries

Gilbert “Gil” Franklin Cymbalist, age 80, of Moran, passed away in New Albany, Indiana, on September 8, 2025, after a short battle with ALS. Gil was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on August 14, 1945, to Leonard and Lore (Dreyfuss) Cymbalist.

Gil graduated from Central High School of Philadelphia and attended Drexel University. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in San Antonio, Texas, Utapao, Thailand, Havre, Montana, and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. It was there that he met the love of his life, Virginia “Ginny” Hull, and they married on August 5, 1971, at Congregation Beth Jacob in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. After separating from the military, they settled in Sault Ste. Marie and raised their sons, Andy and Ben.

Gil tried to live by two rules in life: 1. Be friendly and 2. Help others. He was active in the community, serving as President and general handyman at Congregation Beth Jacob, Board Chairman and Blood Program Chairman of the Chippewa County Red Cross, Cubmaster for the Cub Scout Pack 104, and he volunteered with the Chippewa County Historical Society where he especially enjoyed working with the model train layout.

Gil loved to make people happy and could always be counted on for a good (or, maybe, not so good) joke. He took great joy in entertaining, making pancakes, french toast, or bubbelah’s for his grandchildren.

Gil is survived by his wife, Ginny; two sons, Andrew (Lisa) Cymbalist of Jeffersonville, Indiana, and Benjamin (Katrina) Cymbalist of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan; grandchildren, Daylen (Emma) Cymbalist of Louisville, Kentucky, Miriam Cymbalist of Jeffersonville, and Eliot Cymbalist of Sault Ste. Marie; brother, Mark (Judy) Cymbalist of San Antonio, Texas; and nephew, Fredrick Cymbalist of Austin, Texas.

Gil was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Lore; in-laws, Jim and Catherine Hull; and granddaughter, Mara Elizabeth Cymbalist.

A Graveside Service will be held on Friday, September 12, 2025, at Greenwood Cemetery (4th Line Road East) in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario at 11:00 AM. Following the service, a Celebration of Life will be held at Chippewa County Historical Society, 115 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM with the trains running. Shiva will be held at the home of Adele Shulman, 41 Village Court, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, at 7:00 PM.

The family would like to acknowledge with appreciation the help given to Gil during his battle with ALS by the ALS Association, the Veteran’s Administration, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Hospice, and the many friends and caregivers who made the challenge easier. Thank you.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the ALS Society, 1300 Wilson Blvd, Suite 600, Arlington, VA, 22209, the Chippewa County Historical Society, 115 Ashmun St., P.O. Box 342, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, Congregation Beth Jacob, P.O. Box 20052, East End Post Office, Sault Ste. Marie, ON Canada, P6A 6W3, or the Hospice or charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated.

Gil’s final resting place will be the Greenwood Cemetery in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.