![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Gilbert-memorial-5-1024x683.jpg\")
Family and friends of the late John C. Gilbert, Key Biscayne village manager, mourn at memorial service Jan. 30, 2026. (KBI Photo\/Tony Winton)<\/p>\nHundreds gathered Friday to remember former Village Manager John C. Gilbert in an emotional ceremony that focused on his firefighting career, where he was remembered as a calm and considerate leader determined to bring excellence to public safety.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The service took place in the cavernous garage of the Fire Rescue Department, where speakers shared both Gilbert\u2019s passion and his quirky humor \u2014 doing so in what can fairly be described as the firehouse John built.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Family and friends of the late John C. Gilbert, Key Biscayne village manager, mourn at memorial service Jan. 30, 2026. (KBI Photo\/Tony Winton)<\/p>\n
Mayor Joe Rasco, who worked with Gilbert during his years as fire chief, noted his commitment to public service and his calm demeanor that put consensus first.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I will remember most about John is his quiet strength,\u201d Rasco told a crowd that included past and present council members and fire officials from several neighboring departments.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe did not seek recognition. He sought results. He valued teamwork. He respected differing views and understood that lasting progress comes from trust and collaboration,\u201d Rasco said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Gilbert-memorial-2-1024x683.jpg\")
A bagpiper plays at a memorial in front of a fire engine \u2018Quint\u2019 that was dedicated to John C. Gilbert, a former Key Biscayne manager and longtime fire chief, in Key Biscayne, Fla. Jan. 30., 2026 (KBI Photo\/Tony Winton)<\/p>\n
When Gilbert took over as chief in 1997, the department was housed in trailers and was trying to build a firehouse, said former Chief Eric Lang.\u00a0 \u201cHe was the force in designing it, building it and opening it.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Today, it is an accredited agency and has consistently earned high marks from the public in satisfaction surveys.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The audience also saw an A.I enhanced short movie<\/a> featuring images of Gilbert\u2019s work over the years. \u00a0<\/p>\n Lang became emotional when talking about his mentor, but also shared with the audience Gilbert\u2019s humor, demonstrating how his boss would try to overpower a lectern, or shake his pockets, or hold up a piece of paper.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHe was a master of being a wise ass, or as Miami firefighters used to say, the rat ass, and he\u2019s also, \u2018I just saved your ass, and you may not even know it \u2014 and I\u2019m good with that\u2019 kind of guy,\u201d Lang said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Never miss a story! Sign up for our FREE newsletter<\/p>\n \u201cIf he was here right now, he would say, \u2018Why are you still talking?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Less was said about Gilbert\u2019s service as the village manager, where he sometimes tussled with the Village Council. His retirement was marred by a lawsuit in which he claimed the Village was shortchanging him on the pension he earned, erupting during the transition to incoming manager Andrea Agha. The case was settled for about half of what Gilbert said he was owed.<\/p>\n But Friday was a day for honoring Gilbert\u2019s dedication to public safety.\u00a0<\/p>\n Several speakers pointed to Gilbert\u2019s response to the 2001 attack on the World Trade Center as part of an Urban Search and Rescue team \u2014 a unit he helped found. The attack and its cost to the public safety community \u2014 343 firefighters and 60 police officers \u2014 was never far from his mind.\u00a0<\/p>\n Later, as Gilbert led the Village\u2019s first evacuation for Hurricane Irma in 2017, he stopped a convoy to take time out to remember fallen comrades on the 9\/11 anniversary that year. <\/p>\n Village Manager Steve Williamson, himself a retired Army colonel who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, stressed that service in naming the Village\u2019s \u201cQuint\u201d multi-purpose fire truck after Gilbert. An honor guard carefully removed a drape from the truck, as an officer struck the engine\u2019s bell and a final radio call was sounded.<\/p>\n \u201c\u200b\u200bBy placing his name on this engine, we ensure that every time Quint One leaves this station to answer a call, John\u2019s spirit of service, leadership and integrity goes with it.\u201d Williamson said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Invest in Local News for Your Town. Your Gift is tax-deductible<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Gilbert-memorial-3-1024x683.jpg\")
Jennifer Medina, a former Key Biscayne chief of staff, is consoled by former Fire Chief Eric Lang during a memorial service for John C. Gilbert, a former Key Biscayne village manager and longtime fire chief, in Key Biscayne, Fla. Jan. 30., 2026 (KBI Photo\/Tony Winton)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Gilbert-Lang.jpeg\")
Eric Lang is named fire chief succeeding John C. Gilbert, who took office as Village Manager in February, 2012 (Eric Lang via KBI) <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Gilbert-memorial-4-1024x683.jpg\")
Key Biscayne Village Manager Steve Williamson dedicates a fire engine \u2018Quint\u2019 in honor of the late John C. Gilbert, a former Key Biscayne manager and longtime fire chief, Jan. 30., 2026 (KBI Photo\/Tony Winton)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Gilbert-memorial-1024x683.jpg\")
Cesar Espinosa of the Key Biscayne Fire Rescue Dept. rings a bell in memory of John C. Gilbert at a memorial service Jan. 30. 2026. The fire engine was dedicated in Gilbert\u2019s honor. (KBI Photo\/Tony Winton)<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Winton-sq-2239-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n