Town loses friend to river accident

OCCOQUAN, Va. -- The people of Occoquan lost more than their craft show director in a drowning accident last week.

They lost a friend.

Gregory James Gilker, 52, fell off of a boat at the Belmont Bay Marina on Thursday night. A Prince William County police investigation revealed Gilker possibly struck the dock before being caught underneath the boat, according to Jonathan Perok, police spokesman.

Someone was able to get Gilker onto the dock where CPR was performed but it was unsuccessful. An autopsy found the cause of death was drowning, Perok said.

“I’m personally profoundly saddened by this accident,” said Ken Brunsvold, an town councilman who worked closely with Gilker in organizing the town’s two annual arts and crafts shows.

“He was terrific, a really good guy,” Brunsvold said.

Brunsvold said he and Gilker worked well together. Brunsvold’s Marine Corps background made him better suited for the structural side of putting on the shows while Gilker’s art background made him better suited to handle the craft show vendors.

“I’ve watched Greg walk up to a group of angry crafters and he would just handle it. Everyone would walk away smiling,” Brunsvold said. “He was an artsy guy.”

Claudia Cruise, town administrator and clerk, remembers when she first told Gilker about 10 years ago that the town was having trouble finding people to help direct traffic for the shows. He agreed to do it himself.

“He’s worked the craft shows ever since,” she said, often bringing his sons Richie and Chaz along with him.

She also remembers telling Gilker in 2006 that the town’s then craft show director had resigned. “He said, ‘I’ll do it,’” she said. “I wasn’t expecting that but he did have an artistic flair and could certainly talk to people.”

Gilker had been the show director ever since.

Former Occoquan Councilman Leo Smith also worked with Gilker on the craft shows for several years. He said Gilker loved the town of Occoquan.

“He moved his business to the town just so the town would have another business,” Smith said. “He said it was the right thing to do.”

Gilker moved his framing business, Roither’s Art Gallery, from Fairfax Station to Commerce Street in Occoquan.

Smith said he didn’t want to believe Gilker had drowned.

“He was 52 years old and in good health. He was an alert and cautious individual,” Smith said.

Smith expressed concern for Gilker’s two sons. Richie is a recent college graduate; and Chaz is a recent high school graduate. “What a tough Father’s Day it must have been for them,” he said.
Gilker’s mother, Erna Gilker, is also well known in the town. She operates Spinaweb, a specialty weaving shop, part of Arc of Greater Prince William’s adult vocational program for those with developmental disabilities.

Staff writer Aileen Streng can be reached at 703-530-3907.