Gilbert L. Cartwright; Longtime Businessman

Longtime Ventura businessman Gilbert L. Cartwright died Friday. He was 66.

Cartwright was born June 27, 1931, in Bakersfield. He moved to Ventura in 1973 from San Francisco and opened up Cartwright’s Hot Dogs at Five Points mall in Ventura.

In 1984, Cartwright opened Sleep World, a bed and mattress store.

“He loved his job,” said saleswoman Pam Vaughn , who knew Cartwright for five years. “I couldn’t see him ever retiring. He loved it. I think he would have been bored if he retired.”

Cartwright liked to read motivational books and then apply the lessons he learned.

“It was like a pep rally every day at work,” Vaughn said. “He was into positive thinking. It was like working for a guidance counselor. He was the best boss.”

The former church soloist also loved to sing and would serenade his employees with the classics, Vaughn said.

“Sometimes he’d try to sing opera,” she said.

Cartwright was also a big fan of the Lakers and had planned to see the Los Angeles basketball team play Portland Friday, the night he died, Vaughn said.

Cartwright is survived by his longtime companion Eleanor Gallagher of Ventura; his two sons Randall and Scott Cartwright of San Jose; his sister Betty Myers of Chicago; brother Stan Cartwright of Woodside; and seven grandchildren.

Memorial services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Ted Mayr Funeral Home with Rev. Jim Wells officiating.