Claude R. Guilbault, 76, of Brunswick, Maine died on February 24th, 2011 at Freeport Nursing Home after a long illness.

Claude was born in La Salle, Quebec on September 4, 1934, the seventh of Alexandre and Emilia Guilbault’s seventeen children. In 1970 he married Jean Ellis. They lived in New Hampshire, Wisconsin and Ottawa, Canada before finally settling in Brunswick, Maine over 20 years ago. He was a graduate of Laval University, University of Ottawa and the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He worked for many years as a clinical social worker in hospital and out patient mental health settings, before retiring in 2001 from Sweetser Crisis Services.

He is survived by his wife, Jean Guilbault of Brunswick; five daughters: Shondra Jin Robbins of Harpswell, Tonia Ashline of Chanhassen MN, Emilia Gonzalez of Vernon CT, Elizabeth Guilbault of Scarborough and Julie Guilbault of Portland; seven grandchildren: Aidan, Grace, Natalie, Nicholas, Dean, Charlotte and Claudia; five brothers and eight sisters of Quebec, Canada; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Claude had a lifelong passion for the outdoors and enjoyed spending his free time playing hockey, skiing, hiking and biking. After moving to Maine he joined the Appalachian Trail Club and in his 60’s he participated several years in the American Lung Association’s Bicycle Trek Across Maine. He shared his love of the outdoors with his daughters and friends, encouraging their participation and cheering them up every peak. He also enjoyed refinishing furniture and working with stained glass.

A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, March 5 at 2:00 pm at the Elk’s Lodge, 179 Park Row in Brunswick. Friends are welcome to join the family and share memories of Claude.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Claude’s honor to the Appalachian Trail Club (appalachiantrail.org/memorial or Appalachian Trail Conservancy, 799 W. Washington Street, PO Box 807, Harpers Ferry, WV 35435-0807). Condolences and memories may be shared at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.