Obituary: Peabody School Volunteer William Gibson Of Tewksbury

TEWKSBURY, MA -- William C. Gibson, age 92, of Tewksbury, formerly of Gloucester and Peabody, passed away on July 25th, 2018. Bill grew up in Gloucester, MA, and Graduated from Gloucester High School. After high school he enlisted with the Army Air Corps where he was sent to Japan during WWII. As he was on the ship, Japan surrendered and he became a part of the peace-keeping force.

When he returned home to the United States he enrolled at Boston University and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations. Shortly after graduating from college Bill had the fortune to become reacquainted with a young Lady, Barbara Mackay, who grew up down the street from him. They married and eventually settled in Peabody, MA where they raised their two children, Donna and Christopher.

Bill was a Technical Writer and Editor for most of his working career and worked for Electric Boat Co, in Groton, Ct, Stone & Webster in Boston, MA and later at Itek in Lexington, MA Bill had several hobbies. One was tinkering on the piano that had belonged to his Great Uncle. Another of Bill’s hobbies was photography. From taking photos at local sporting events, nature and of course his family and friends, Bill always had his camera ready.

After Bill retired he spent much of his time volunteering. Among his volunteer positions was tutoring ESL students at Peabody High School. He also spent many hundreds of hours on the restoration of the ship ‘The Adventure’ out of Gloucester. MA. He took great pride in the work done on this ship to bring it back to its former glory. He was also a great supporter of the Lynnfield Art Guild with his wife Barbara. After Barbara’s passing Bill continued volunteering with the guild as a Treasurer and occasionally displayed some of his photographs.

One of his greatest joys was becoming a Grandpa to his beloved Elisabeth. Reading “T’was the Night before Christmas’, teaching her to play Jingle Bells on his Piano, taking photographs of and with her, and of course many trips to get ice-cream, there was nothing that made him smile more than spending time with his Elisabeth.

Bill was the beloved husband of the late Barbara (Mackay) Gibson. He was the loving father of Christopher Gibson & his wife Kerry of Tewksbury and the late Donna Astroff, cherished “Grandpa” of Elisabeth Gibson of Tewksbury. Bill was the son of the late Leonard and Harriett (Hickman) Gibson and the dear brother of the late Elizabeth Gibson. Bill is also survived by many relatives and friends.

Family and friends will gather at the Nichols Funeral Home, Inc., 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rt. 62) Wilmington, for a funeral on Tuesday, July 31st, at 9:00 a.m., followed by a funeral mass at St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 126 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington, at 10:00 a.m. Interment with military honors to follow in Calvary Cemetery, Gloucester. Visiting hours will be held on Monday, July 30th, from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in William’s name can be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. William proudly served in the U.S. Army Air Corps.

Photo by Nichols Funeral Home.