Gilbert “Gib” Caroff died peacefully on September 23, 2020 at Brecon Village Retirement Community in Saline, MI. He was born September 24, 1931, in Dunlo, PA, to James J. and Letitia (Mackey) Caroff. A graduate of Forest Hills High School in Sidman, PA, he also graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and Georgetown University Law School. He served two-and-a-half years as an officer in the United States Coast Guard. He was married to Julia Annie (Hartnett) Caroff for over 63 years.
Three years ago, he and Julia Annie moved to Ann Arbor, MI to be near their children, after having lived on the Isle of Palms, SC. He served as solicitor to the Forest Hills School District and two of its former component districts for 54 years. He represented the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Johnstown for many years, as well as numerous other public organizations. He was a member of the Cambria County Bar Association and the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and, over the course of his career, was admitted to practice law before courts both state and federal. He was also one of the owners of Keystate Office Supplies in Johnstown. Inspired by his mother and aunts, who were school teachers, Gib had a lifelong love of learning and reading. He was a keen student of history with a particular interest in World War I and 20th century politics. He was a kind, generous father who showed his children and grandchildren that treating other people fairly was important. He was loved in return by each of them, as well as extended family and friends.
Gib was predeceased by his wife, Julia Annie, his granddaughter, Katie Krivach, and his brothers, James (“Al”), Romauld, and George. He is survived by five daughters, including Julie Caroff, Susan Caroff, Laura (Timothy) Krivach, Kate (Todd) Wolford, and Amy (Stanley) Petrilla. His surviving granddaughters include Cecelia (Wolford) Myers, Mary (Krivach) Mohr, Annie Pidgeon, Sarah Pidgeon, Charlotte Petrilla, and Caroline Petrilla. His three great-grandchildren are Madelyn and Henry Mohr and Ben Myers. He is also survived by his sisters, Theresa Caroff and Sarah McElfresh, and his brother, William, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
He had a natural burial beside Julia Annie in The Preserve at All Saints Cemetery in Waterford, MI. Memorials can be made to Forest Hills High School, PO Box 325, 535 Locust St., Sidman, PA 15955, earmarked for the library, which was named in his honor. Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.
