Allan Z. Gilbert

BOXFORD – Mr. Allan Z. Gilbert 82, of Boxford, beloved husband of Marilee K. (Moser) Gilbert died peacefully, August 29^th, 2021 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers. 

Born in Boston, he was the son of the late Arthur and Margaret (Mottow) Gilbert. He was raised and educated in Boston, having attended Boston Latin School and graduated from Brookline High School. He continued his education at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton Business School. 

An honorably discharged veteran he served his country as a member of the United States Air Force. 

A true Entrepreneur from a young age, Allan began his career in the Food Services Industry as a college student, traveling by scooter to service his gumball and penny candy machines which was the foundation for his first company he called New England Vending Corp. He continually improved upon his professional career with innovation and determination. His career in the vending machine business was so successful and growing at such a rapid pace, he left college to focus fully on his career. He never missed an opportunity to start a new business. While growing his vending company in the 70’s he started a new venture as co-founder of Data Intelligence Systems Corp., one of the world’s first order management software developers. Later, he expanded into food service, starting Lemon Tree Systems which operated cafeterias in over 40, mostly high-tech, companies in the Boston area. He was a true pioneer in his field. His inventions and companies streamlined the vending industry. As founder of Merrimack Financial Services, he provided working capital for vending business and coffee service owners. Later in his career, Allan also acted as an advisor in many major mergers and acquisitions in the vending industry. He was highly regarded, frequently published and well respected in his field. 

He was generous with his time and resources to charities throughout the North Shore and beyond. He was an active donor to Beverly Hospital; he also started the Vending Association Scholarship fund which helped numerous vending industry employed families send their children to college. He was a long-time board member of the Vending Association and its charitable arm. He loved to see others succeed in the industry which was his passion. 

Allan was the consummate entertainer. Always behind the bar with a martini in hand ready to share with his guests and always with a smile. He was a skilled woodworker and craftsman, having made all the furniture and bar in his home out of mahogany wood. 

Athletic from a young age, he was a ranked squash player and an excellent target and clays shooter. He loved to deep sea dive and enjoyed photography. He was an excellent cook, having perfected a mouth watering bearnaise sauce and made a mean eggs benedict. He enjoyed sharing his passions with others.

He was a man of many talents, some may say a renaissance man, having mastered many disciplines. He was happiest enjoying the hobbies he loved surround by family and friends with a martini in hand. 

Allan will deeply be missed. 

Allan is survived by his wife, Marilee K. (Moser) Gilbert of Boxford, his son, Matthew Gilbert of Boston, his daughter, Bunny Watson and her husband Alan of Byfield, his granddaughter, Maia Dendinger of New York. He was the brother of the late Anita Shatz. 

ARRANGEMENTS: His funeral services are private. Assisting the family with the arrangements is O’Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 167 Maple St., (RTE 62) Danvers. Donations in his memory may be made to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St. Danvers, MA 01923 or to Beverly Hospital, C/O Philanthropy, 75 Herrick St., Beverly, MA 01915. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com

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