Nelson "Gibby" M. Gibbs

Nelson M. “Gibby” Gibbs, 76, of Ithaca, NY, formerly of Berwick, ME, Lakeland, FL and Rochester, NH, passed away unexpected but peacefully at his home on December 23, 2023 after a period of failing health.

Gibby was born July 14, 1947,  at Frisbee Memorial Hospital in Rochester NH, the son of Nathaniel and Natalie (Tufts) Gibbs.  He was a 1965 graduate of Berwick High School. Before earning his Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Maine in Orono, he served 4 years in the United States Navy. For many years he taught 5th grade at Hanson Elementary School in Lebanon ME before moving on to the Rochester Middle School, in Rochester NH, teaching Social Studies until his retirement.  He was very well liked and respected within his family of school teachers. After retiring from teaching, he worked for Worldstrides a company that brought students from across the country to Washington DC, teaching them all aspects about the government.

He had a passion for all sports and was a lifelong Boston sports fan. He also spent some of his free time as a coach in a girls AAU basketball league and No one was surprised to see him behind the table as the timekeeper of school basketball games.

Gibby was a social butterfly who seemed to know someone everywhere he went.  He sang every time a karaoke machine was present, he was a member of the local Elks Club wherever he lived, and enjoyed his time with the “Liar’s Club” at his mobile home park where they met for coffee every morning to share the stories and news of the day.

His larger-than-life personality and his penchant for awful dad jokes and witty puns will be sorely missed by all that knew and loved him.

He is survived by his girlfriend Donna Everett of Ithaca NY, 2 sons, Richmond Gibbs and his wife Jennifer of Rochester, NH, Scott Gibbs and his wife Amy of Somersworth, NH; twin sisters, Kim Gibbs and Pam Heal of Rochester, NH, grandchildren, Logan Gibbs, McKenna Graham, her boyfriend Corey Oles and their daughter, Nelson’s great-granddaughter Ella May; and his canine companion, Daisy Mae.

A time of visitation will be held Sunday, January 14, 2024 from 1pm to 3pm at the Johnson Funeral Home, 26 Market Street, North Berwick, ME. Spring interment in the Wentworth-Gibbs family cemetery, Berwick, ME. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local school lunch program.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Johnson Funeral Home, North Berwick, ME.  Condolences may be expressed at www.JohnsonFuneralHomeME.com

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