David Martin Gilbert's family members remember him as 'a calm, quiet man' who was a wonderful father, brother and husband.

'He was soft-spoken, had a wonderful sense of humour (and) he loved to make people laugh,' daughter Teresa Wilts, who lives in Minnesota, said Thursday. 'He loved to flirt with the ladies even my mom would tell you that.'

The longtime Yukon business owner died Tuesday at the age of 75. Funeral services were to begin late this afternoon at Whitehorse United Church.

Gilbert was born in Rocky Mountain House, Alta., in 1932 to a family that would include seven children.

His younger sister Frieda said the quality she remembers most about him is 'the kindness. He was always willing to help any one of us.

'My most frequent memory that sticks out to me is that he would bring a lot of vehicles home and fix them up and make them run. He was always there to help out anyone, giving us spending money if we needed (it). He was just the kind of brother everyone dreams of.'

Gilbert worked as a truck driver and mechanic until he joined the weather service in 1955.

His marriage to Laureen Adams in 1954 marked the beginning of a 53-year union. The couple had three children: Teresa, Jeff, and Roberta.

'They were the perfect parents,' said Teresa. 'If we were having a fight, (Dave) would start singing, Santa Claus is coming to town, so you better not fight ....''

Gilbert was transferred in 1958 and moved to Edmonton. Ten years later, he was transferred to Whitehorse.

'He moved to the Yukon to better himself with the job he had with the weather department,' said Frieda. 'He thought it was a good place to raise his family.'

'Dad loved to fish and hunt,' said Teresa.

He built his own motor home which the family drove to Whitehorse in 1968, she explained. 'He loved the great outdoors (and) hiking.'

In 1978, the senior Gilberts took over Carcross Corner Services, which included a gas station, garage, and restaurant.

The couple's hospitality became well-known throughout the community.

Even as Gilbert's health declined in his later years, said Teresa, people would still ask for his help in changing a flat tire or fixing a broken piece of equipment.

Teresa said her dad made sure she had a good life, and will be missed by his many friends and family members.

Expressions of sympathy may be made in Gilbert's memory by way of a donation to the Whitehorse General Hospital.