John D. Gibbons, 80, of Mattapoisett died March 23, 2004 at home unexpectedly.
Born in New Bedford, he was the husband of Vera (Converse) Gibbons and son of the late Dr. John J. and Ella (Mahoney) Gibbons. He lived in Mattapoisett all of his life and was proud of being a 4th generation Mattapoisett resident.
He was a graduate of Fairhaven High School and Massachusetts Maritime Academy. He served as captain aboard tankers and super tankers for 10 years and was the youngest ship captain on the eastern sea board, receiving his master mariner's license at the age of 24. Mr. Gibbons visited every country in the world during his travels aboard ships. He returned to Mattapoisett where he became a general contractor and founded Gibbons Real Estate.
Mr. Gibbons collected antique trucks and tractors, which he used in business and also had a diverse collection of saxophones. He enjoyed building scale models of ships that he previously sailed on. He served in the Merchant Marines during World War II.
Mr. Gibbons was a former assessor for the Town of Mattapoisett, former trustee for Friends Academy and the former Fairhaven Savings Bank. He was a member of the Beverly Yacht Club and the Kittansett Club.
He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
Survivors include his wife; 2 sons, John D. Gibbons, Jr, and his wife Colleen, of New York City and Westfield, NJ and Roger C. Gibbons of Mattapoisett; 3 daughters, Christine Gibbons, and her husband Joel Berman, of Palm Beach, FL, Joanella Cannell, and her husband Jim, of Mattapoisett and Vera B. Gibbons of New York City; a brother, Mark Gibbons of Cambridge; 2 sisters, Geraldine Potter of Ipswich and Joanella Deery of Marblehead; 6 grandchildren, Ellen, Nina, Sydney, Josephine, Alex and Margo; cousins and many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Memorial Mass on Saturday, March 27th at 11 AM in St. Anthony's Church, Mattapoisett.
Visiting hours at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., (Rt. 6) Mattapoisett Friday, March 26th from 5-7 PM.
Interment private.
Memorial donations may be made to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, 1 Academy Drive, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532 or Friends Academy, 1088 Tucker Rd., Dartmouth, MA 02747.