Gilroy Arvig

Gilroy Gardner Arvig, age 85, of Crosslake, passed away on August 3, 2019 after suffering many years with Alzheimer’s disease. He was born in Pequot Lakes to Esther (Gardner) and Louis Arvig on September 17, 1933.

Gilroy started his telephone career by becoming president and general manager of Arvig Telephone Company at age 20 after his father passed away at a young age. Through his leadership and a team of family members he expanded the company to include Bridgewater Telephone, Interlake Cable and US Link with over 200 employees serving 25,000 customers. He served in the Army Signal Corp for 2 years in Germany. Gil graduated from Pequot Lakes High School in 1951 and attended Dunwoody College of Technology where he received an electrical degree. The college awarded him the Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2008. He also served as the mayor of Pequot Lakes for 8 years and was a Pequot Lakes school board member for 12 years. He served as President of the MN Telephone Association, in addition to his involvement in state and national industry organizations. After his retirement in 1994 he served on various board of directors. Gil was a true pioneer and visionary in the telcom industry and touched so many lives with his intelligence, strength, and kindness. Gil enjoyed having the latest and greatest gadgets, traveling, politics, boating, antique boats, water skiing, model trains, church and community activities but was happiest when he was surrounded by his family.

Gilroy is survived by his wife of 59 years, Virginia (Gould); his 5 children: Greg (Becky) Arvig of Pequot Lakes, Mike Arvig of Pequot Lakes, Jill (Todd) Beyer of Pequot Lakes, Holli (Steve) Streff of Red Wing and Beth (Scott) Berg of Duluth; 13 grandchildren: Jamie, Aaron, Tyler, Megan, Adam, Brenna, Drake, Trenton, Alex, Emma, Helen, Daphne and Lars; and 9 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Esther Arvig; and his sisters, Doris Coulter, Allison Brunes and Jeanette Johnson.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that you donate to the Alzhiemers Association alz.org where we have a tribute page set up: https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pxfid=570648&fr_id=1060&pg=fund

Services will be 2 PM on Friday, August 9, at Grace United Methodist Church, Pequot Lakes. Visitation will be Thursday from 5 to 7 PM at Grace United Methodist Church, and one hour prior to the service on Friday. Burial will be in Pinewood Cemetery, Crosslake. Arrangements are with Kline Funeral Home, Pequot Lakes.