Grocer nourished compassion for those in need
Bill Gilboy will long be remembered for his acts of charity in his adopted community of Hazelwood.
In 1983, Mr. Gilboy raised more than $80,000 to fly Kim Caterino, a local teen suffering from leukemia, to Seattle for a transplant.
William Patrick Gilboy Jr. of Mt. Lebanon died of complications of emphysema on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007, at his home. He was 66.
Mr. Gilboy owned and operated Kut-Rite Market, a neighborhood grocery on Elizabeth Street in Hazelwood.
"Kim Caterino's family were Dad's customers," said his son, Bill Gilboy, who along with his brothers and sister spent their summer vacations working in the store. "Kim lived for another three years following her transplant."
"Bill Gilboy typifies a rare breed of an individual who's willing to make a difference and help others," said George Omiros, executive director of the Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
"Dad also volunteered for Meal on Wheels at Saint Paul's Lutheran Church on Second Avenue," said his daughter, Jean Luoni. "He'd drive on the worst winter days, when no one else would volunteer."
Bill Gilboy recalled numerous times that his father extended credit to customers who were losing their jobs as the mills were closing.
"He gave credit to even those who he knew couldn't pay," his son said.
Born in New Castle and raised in Wilkinsburg, Mr. Gilboy was one of six children of Gertrude Gilboy and the late William Gilboy Sr., an accountant with USX.
After working in sales, Mr. Gilboy and his wife, Darlene -- whom he married in 1963 -- established their grocery business in Hazelwood in 1970.
"Mom, like Dad, had a strong work ethic," said their son. "She worked with Dad, while raising us."
Bill Gilboy recalled how adamant his father was in passing on his work ethic to his children.
"When our Mt. Lebanon friends and classmates were headed to summer camps and beaches for their vacations, we headed for Hazelwood and the grocery store.
"But as we look back, we realize that what you do in your work life isn't all about business, but how your efforts can impact a community. And, most important, we all got to spend time with our father."
Mr. Gilboy is survived by his wife, Darlene Hill Gilboy; mother, Gertrude Gilboy; five children, Bill and Brian of Mt. Lebanon, Kevin of Virginia, Tim of Robinson and Jean Luoni of Peters; 10 grandchildren; and four siblings, Rose Marie Mallik of Churchill, Penny Affolter of South Fayette, Mary Grace Boyle of South Park and Christine Gilboy of Pittsburgh.
He was preceded in death by a brother, James Gilboy, and a grandson, Danny Gilboy.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Laughlin Memorial Chapel, 222 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Monday at St. Anne Church, Castle Shannon.
