Early in the morning of Friday, June 12th, 2009,  M. Lane Gilchrist, Mayor of the City of Gulf Breeze since 1992 passed away.
The family will receive friends on Monday, June 15th, 2009 at St Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Gulf Breeze from 4pm to 6pm.
 
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 16th, 2009 at 2pm at St Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Gulf Breeze.

Mayor Gilchrist was born in Birmingham on November 26, 1936, the eldest son of Malcolm William Gilchrist and Marjorie Enzor Gilchrist. After graduating from Pensacola High School, he enrolled as an NROTC student at Auburn University, earning his engineering degree and Navy commission.  Following active Navy service, he began his 35 year career as an engineer with Gulf Power Company, retiring in 1996.  He served twenty years in the Naval Reserve after active duty, rising to the rank of Commander and serving as commanding officer fo the USS Tweedy.

He served the City of Gulf Breeze for 10 years as Councilman and then for the past 17 years as Mayor.
 
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Suzanne, their two sons Malcolm Lane Gilchrist, Jr and his wife Tsahai of New York, NY and Michael Enzor Gilchrist of Fairmont, WV; and, Mayor Gilchrist's brothers: David Gilchrist of Birmingham and Joe Gilchrist of Pensacola.
 
Mayor Gilchrist was a vestryman at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, a member of the Gulf Breeze Rotary and Optimist clubs and Sigma Alph Epsilon fraternity.
 
Mayor Gilchrist had been nominated for a lifetime acheivement award from the Florida League of Cities by the staff of the City.
 
The staff and employees of the City of Gulf Breeze mourn his passing; will miss his presence and leadership; and offer their condolences to his family.