Owen B. Gilman, M.D., 77, died peacefully on October 16, 2015 in his Buttonwoods home, with his family at his side. He was the beloved husband of Katherine E. (Hand) Gilman for 52 years.
Born in Providence, the son of the late Hector A. and Sally E. (Thornton) Gilman, he lived in Warwick for 45 years. After graduating from the College of the Holy Cross, he received his medical degree (M.D.) from Tufts University School of Medicine. He completed Internal Medicine Residency at New England Deaconess and Rhode Island Hospitals, followed by Nephrology Fellowship at Rhode Island Hospital. Upon completion of Nephrology Fellowship, he served as a Major in the United States Army Medical Corps at Tripler Army Medical Center and also as Clinical Instructor of Medicine at the University of Hawaii.
He was a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and American Board of Nephrology. After completion of his medical training and military service, he was appointed to the Medical Staff of Kent County Memorial Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital in the Departments of Medicine in 1970. At Kent County Hospital he founded the Dialysis Unit where, under his direction, the first dialysis machine was purchased and used to treat patients. He served as the Director of the Kent County Hospital Dialysis Unit and as the Medical Director of the Kent County Hospital Home Care Division. For 39 years he dedicated his career to the care of his medical and nephrology patients. One of his greatest rewards and privileges was caring for the patients in his medical practice.
His greatest joy in life was his family. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, of whom he was extremely proud. He was an avid reader, lover of Irish poetry, dedicated and accomplished fisherman, and he loved music. He was a devout Catholic and an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his sons, Owen B. Gilman Jr. and Matthew D. Gilman M.D.; and his daughters, Beth M. Simpson and her husband, Trevor, Melia Flynn and her husband, Gerald, and Katherine M. Cooney and her husband, Edward. He was the grandfather of Jessica C. Gilman, Max W. Gilman, Jack O. Flynn, Kaylin M. Flynn, and Edward J. Cooney III. Owen was the brother of Sheila Gilman Falconer and the late Robert T. Gilman, M.D.
His funeral will be held Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015 at 9 a.m. from the Henault-Gallogly Funeral Home, 5 Eddy St., West Warwick. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. in St. Clement Church, 111 Long Street, Warwick to which family and friends are invited. Interment will follow with military honors in SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery, Coventry. Visiting hours Monday, Oct. 19, 2015 from 4-7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Owen's memory may be made to the Kent Hospital Foundation, for Kent Dialysis Unit, 455 Toll Gate Road, Warwick, RI 02886. Information and condolences please visit: www.henault-gallogly.com
