Brother Charles J. Gilbert, OMI

Missionary Oblate Brother for 44 years

Brother Charles Gilbert, OMI, 81, passed away on April 1, 2026, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Residence, Tewksbury, Massachusetts. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, son of the late Charles J. and Rita E. (Sneyd) Gilbert.

Brother Charlie began his studies in 1963 at St. Philip Neri School for Delayed Vocations in Boston, MA. He then attended the O’Connell Minor Seminary in Jamaica Plain, MA in 1964. His religious ministry as a Brother began as a member of the Sons of Mary in Framingham, MA, professing his First Vows in 1966. He served as a member of the Sons of Mary until 1982 when he professed his Perpetual Vows with the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

Brother Charlie began his ministry with the Oblates serving as a staff member at the Ephpheta Retreat House in Manville, RI (1982-1984). His passion to serve the hearing impaired led him to the Oblate House of Studies in Cambridge, MA (1985-1988) where he learned the skills to further assist this population. Brother Charlie continued his ministry to the hearing impaired at the Oblate Missionary Center for Hispanic Ministry, Lowell, MA (1988-1992). He also served as the Treasurer at the Center (1989-1992). In 1992, Brother Charlie became the Director of the Oblate Foreign Missions Office in Lowell, MA until 1995. He then served as the Director of the André Garin Residence in Lowell, MA until 2019 while continuing to minister to the Hearing-Impaired Community. When the Garin Residence was repurposed in 2020, Brother Charlie became a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Residence in Tewksbury, MA where he served as the sacristan and resident gardener until his passing in 2026.

Brother Charlie represented the US-Canada Region on the Oblate General Administration Committee for Brothers in Rome. He also served on the USP Oblate Eldercare Committee.

Brother Charlie is survived by his brother Paul Gilbert of Northfield, OH and many nieces and nephews. Brother Charlie was pre-deceased by his sister Karen L. Gilbert, formerly of Wilmington, MA. He will be missed by the residents and staff at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Residence in Tewksbury, MA and his Oblate brothers.

Friends and family are invited to Brother Charlie’s Visitation at Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, 486 Chandler Street, Tewksbury, MA on Monday, April 6th from 2:00pm-4:00pm and 7:00pm-9:00pm. Evening Prayer will be held at 7:30pm. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 7th at 11:00 AM in the Chapel, followed by burial at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cemetery. The livestream of Bro. Charlie's Funeral Mass can be viewed at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/3411196958

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Oblate Residence, 486 Chandler Street in his memory.