Late Rangers legend Rod Gilbert’s kids and their stepmom battle over his will
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The two children of the late New York Rangers icon, Rod Gilbert, are embroiled in a fierce battle with their stepmother over his will.
Rod Gilbert, who spent his entire 18-year career starring for the Rangers from 1960 to 1978, passed away last August at the age of 80 after a battle with cancer.
Chantal Pine, 47, and Justin Gilbert, 45, claim their stepmother Judith Gilbert, 76, went to their father on his deathbed to evict them from their inheritance, the New York Post reported.
The children said they would also like to own a 40-inch square screen print on canvas portrait of Gilbert created by respected pop artist Andy Warhol.
Pine petitioned the court to dismiss Judith as co-executor on the grounds that she is “unfit” and guilty of “misconduct, including dishonesty.”
Chantal Pine, 47, and Justin Gilbert, 45, (pictured) claim their stepmother Judith Gilbert, 76, wanted to cut them off from their $1 million inheritance and hockey memorabilia
The two children of the late 1970s New York Ranger, Rod Gilbert, claim their stepmother manipulated him on his deathbed to take them out
Pine petitioned the court to remove Judith as a co-executor on the grounds that she is “unfit” and guilty of “misconduct including dishonesty”
Judith has denied having had any part in changing her husband’s will – stating she has every intention of giving the children what they want.
The charismatic Montreal-raised NHL player had allowed his will to hide his daughter in January and Judith named executors, according to court documents.
Less than a month before the hockey great passed away, Judith claims he “signed a letter dated July 26, 2021” reversing his bequest and giving all his hockey memorabilia to his children and grandchildren.
According to that letter, Gilbert donated ‘all’ [his] right, title and interest in and to all sports memorabilia to his wife.
The court documents revealed that on August 10, 2021, just nine days before he died, Gilbert and Judith had also sold their Sag Harbor mansion for $6.1 million.
‘Good personal friends of [Rod Gilbert] are willing to testify that the decedent had communicated to them his intent to use his share of the proceeds from the sale of that property to fund the $1 million gift to his children,” Pine’s petition stated.
“It is unlikely that Judith would argue that the assets of Rod’s estate are insufficient to meet any of the bequests he has made to his children.”
Pine said she thought her father would be “upset by all this” and didn’t want to voice the family feud, but felt she had no choice
The kids want his hockey memorabilia and a portrait of Gilbert by revered pop artist Andy Warhol (pictured)
Rod Gilbert, who spent his entire 18-year career starring for the Rangers from 1960 to 1978, passed away last August at the age of 80 after a battle with cancer
Gilbert married Judith in 1991 in a ceremony officiated by then New York City Mayor David Dinkins.
His 1974 marriage to his first wife, Judy Preston, ended in divorce but produced Chantal and Justin.
The eight-time NHL All-Star was one of 10 athletes featured in Warhol’s 1979 series, including Muhammad Ali, OJ Simpson, Chris Evert, Tom Seaver and Pelé.
Pine told the New York Post that she thought her father “would be upset about all this.”
“Based on my father’s incredible career and his stature and reputation in New York, he and Judy have built two successful businesses together,” said Pine.
“Dad wanted to leave his memorabilia plus a small percentage of his property and his business earnings to my brother and me and our children…and the rest of his wealth went to Judy. I’m sure my father would be very upset about all this.’
Her lawyer Robert Piliero said “the last thing Chantal and Justin wanted was to argue” with their stepmother.
Gilbert married Judith in 1991 in a ceremony officiated by then New York City Mayor David Dinkins. His 1974 marriage to his first wife, Judy Preston, ended in divorce but produced Chantal and Justin
Gilbert is the Rangers’ all-time leader with goals at 406 and points at 1,021 and the first NHL player to have his jersey, No. 7, retired at Madison Square Garden
Gilbert’s will was admitted to probate in January. His daughter Pine and widow Gilbert were named executors of the will, according to court documents
Judith Gilbert, who has two daughters from a previous marriage, said she is heartbroken by the estrangement of Chantal, whom she considers her own daughter.
“They really didn’t want to wash the family’s linens in public because of their father’s sake,” he said.
“But all our attempts to get information from Judy’s lawyers or to discuss a way to avoid litigation were ignored or rejected.
“It’s really sad, and such a disservice to Rod’s memory that Judy treats his kids like this.”
Judith Gilbert has denied the allegations in the lawsuit, saying she had nothing to do with any changes to her husband’s will.
She noted that it has always been her intention to give all of the Gilbert memorabilia used by the game such as “his jersey, his skates, his sticks” and the Warhol piece to Chantal and Justin.
‘They must have it. Because Rod would like them to have it,’ Judith said.
‘This one [petition] smears Rod for never doing anything to hurt me or his kids.
Judith Gilbert, who has two daughters from a previous marriage, said she is heartbroken by the estrangement of Chantal, whom she considers her own daughter.
“This is a daughter I lost, I really love, love, love, love her,” she said.
However, Judith’s lawyer lashed out at her stepchildren.
“This is an attempt to extort money from Rod’s wife by his children from another marriage who care only to fill their own pockets and not Rod’s legacy,” said Errol Margolin.
“Rod changed his will and I have the text of that conversation with his lawyer.
“He did this long before his death and before he made significant gifts of money to his children and grandchildren before his death.”