Gee, I wish I could think of a joke in the worst possible taste to make at the moment. It would be highly appropriate and Gilbert would have loved it.
Though I met and talked with him on a few occasions and guested on his podcast, I can't say I knew Gilbert Gottfried all that well. Others will doubtlessly write longer and better about him than I could, along with wondering what it is that seems to be causing comedians in a certain age group to be passing at a frightening rate.
But Gilbert sure seemed to be a sweet guy, a decent family man, a great audience for other comedians (many good comics are not) and as you surely already know, one of those guys who could make anything funny…even tragedy. Oh — and I left out "brave." He was unafraid to face any audience and say anything he thought would make them laugh. I never saw him be unsuccessful in his mission.
There was a very fine documentary made about him a few years ago called, simply, Gilbert. If you want to know what he was like…or if you thought he was just a guy who squinted and yelled out rude things…I suggest you seek it out.