Rocky Hill Obituary: Walter Gibson, Jr., 72

Walter Hilliard Gibson, Jr., 72, of Rocky Hill and formerly of Hartford, passed away unexpectedly doing what he loved, sitting on the bank of a lake fishing, on Thursday, June 14, 2018.

Born in Hartford on February 11, 1946, son of the late Walter H. and Elizabeth (Williams) Gibson, he was raised in Hartford and was a graduate of Weaver High School, Class of 1964. After high school, Walter enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He completed basic training on Parris Island, SC and then was transferred to Vietnam where he served two tours and was awarded several medals including a Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in 1968 and returned to Connecticut and took a position at Capital Pipe and later at Electric Boat as a welder.

Walter later worked as a driver at Yellow Cab in Bloomfield until his retirement in 2012. In his spare time, Walter enjoyed fishing, reading, and watching golf and shows on the Discovery Channel. An animal lover his entire life, Walter took in stray dogs and always loved caring for his pets. He practiced his Muslim faith daily and enjoyed reading the Quran.

He leaves nine children, Elizabeth Reid of Hartford, Bart Pinckney and his wife Gemia of Griffin, GA, Stacy-Lynn Mosby and her husband Douglas, Jr. of Bloomfield, Michael Patterson and his wife Claudia of New Britain, Nicole Lara of Hartford, Fatima Gibson-Walker and her husband Davien of Charlotte, NC, Walter H. Gibson, III of Virginia, Michelle Benitez of Hartford, and Carmen Gibson of Hartford; two brothers, Roger Gibson, Sr. and his wife Alberta of Myrtle Beach, SC and Kenneth Gibson and his wife Glendora of Willow Springs, NC; his former spouses, Joan Gibson and Linda Lourde; a brother-in-law, Ulysses Jacks of Dorchester, MA; two sisters-in-law, Cynthia Gibson and Linda Gibson both of Hartford; 27 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was predeceased by a sister, Esterlene G. Jacks; two brothers, Thomas Gibson and Clyde Lee Gibson.

His family will receive friends on Monday, June 25, 1-2 p.m., followed by memorial service at 2 p.m., at the Lodge Community Chapel, 130 Deerfield Rd., Windsor. Burial with Military Honors will be private in Col. Raymond F. Gates Memorial Cemetery in Rocky Hill.

In memory of Walter’s love for animals, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Rd., Newington, CT 06111.