Gilbert Ortega also known as “Gill” peacefully joined the lord on Friday the first of September at age 82, after suffering from bad health. For about twelve years now Gill along with his bicycle and loud horns have been known to put a smile on the faces of Auburn locals.

Many Auburnites know Gilbert as the cheerful old man who traveled around town on a bicycle that was just about as colorful and vibrant as its rider. Usually donning a coon hat or bandanna Gilbert never failed to put a smile on the faces of locals.

“We loved him because he was cheerful and didn’t want to be known as an old folk sitting in a T.V. chair, instead he got daily exercise and rode his shiny bike everywhere” states junior Makayla Ratcliff.

Gilbert always like to make fashion statements. Along with his war pins and costume jewelry, Gilbert loved his raccoon hat.

Junior Danny Humphries said, “Gilbert wore his coon hat everyday”.

No matter how hot or cold he was Gilbert always seemed make his outfits work, but he never let his favorite mode of transportation go without recognition. He was constantly decorating his bike with streamers and pinwheels. However, the colorful Auburnite was not just an eccentric cyclist, Gilbert also liked to tell the story of his life.

“He always shmobbed around on his bike, and told his story about his life in the war” stated Junior Alex Ainsworth. Ainsworth also mentioned that Gilbert didn’t just explain his story to him, but also to anyone he encountered.

Even in ill health, our cheerful Gilbert never seemed to let a conquerable moment pass by or brighten peoples’ day.

“He told me he rode his bike everywhere because he never could pass a drive test” added Junior Abigail Strickland.

Gilbert was never put down by the fact that he didn’t pass the driving test and was quite content to maintain a relationship with his bike. He loved riding his bike everywhere, along with cleaning it every time he got off.

Nicole Kuper, Auburn local, said that Gilbert was never in a bad mood, “He was always a happy guy whether he had a flat tire or was just getting a new horn”.

He rode his bike through downtown, and old town, and whenever someone would see
Gilbert, a smile would be put on there faces. The memory of Gilbert will always be carried on because Auburn is a tight knit community and everyone knew him. Although Gilbert is gone, he, along with his bicycle and coon hat, will always be remembered.