NORTH WINDHAM - Gilbert Francis Cooley, 76, passed away peacefully Thursday, March 24, 2011, at Middlesex Hospice. Married for 54 years, he was the beloved husband of Norah Esther (Cosgrove) Cooley.Son of the late Francis A. Cooley and Lucia (Gilbert) Cooley, he was born in Hartford on June 25, 1934, and raised in Glastonbury. He voluntarily enlisted himself in the U.S. Army to serve our country at the age of 17, during the Korean War. After his military service, he went on to drive "18-wheelers," supplementing his income with delivery of The Hartford Courant, The Journal Inquirer and The Chronicle. He continued working until the day he suffered a stroke in July 2006. After a hard, strong battle he was able to move in March 2007 to Chesterfields Health Care Facility in Chester. Prior to his stroke he had the home he dreamed of in North Windham.He is survived by his wife, Norah "Essie," of Westbrook; his only sister, "Ruthie" (Cooley) Yetishefsky, of Glastonbury; his six children, Noreen Dunlevy, of Middletown, Patricia Hyzer, of Corbett, Ore., William Cooley, of East Hartford, Colleen Slayton, of Monterey, Calif., Kathleen Taylor, of Westbrook, and Erin McNamara, of Stafford Springs. He also leaves 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by two grandchildren.Surrounded by the love of all his family and loved ones, final goodbyes were said to Dad on March 29 at Brooklawn Funeral Home in Rocky Hill. Dad was laid to rest at the State Veterans Cemetery on Bow Lane in Middletown with full military honors. A Mass in celebration of his life will be held at Saint Mark the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Westbrook at a later date, where Mom has been a faithful member since moving to Westbrook in 2006. Memorial contributions in his memory can be made to Middlesex Hospice whose compassion and caring comforted Dad during the last year of his life. Donations can be directed to the Middlesex Hospice - Weiss Unit, 28 Crescent St., Middletown, CT 06457."Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand."