Gordon Payne Libbey, 78, of Centerville, MA passed away peacefully at Cape Cod Hospital. He was born in 1940 to Gordon and Emma (Payne) Libbey. After graduating from the Barnstable school system, Gordon received a BS in Education, majoring in Earth Science from Bridgewater State College. He received a Master’s of Education in Instructional Media in 1972 from Bridgewater University, earning a CAGS in 1980.
Gordon taught in the Wellfleet Elementary School from 1963 to 1971. From 1972 to 2000, he taught Science at the Nauset Regional Middle School. He was a former Vice-President and Treasurer of the Nauset Education Association. He was a life member of the National Education Association and the Massachusetts Teachers Association. While a teacher for the Nauset Schools, he developed for the Science Curriculum a number of innovative programs, most notably his Photography Unit designed to teach students chemistry and physics, resulting in a number of former students becoming professional photographers.
Gordon’s passion was reading and spending time on his computer. He wrote “Needed Very Much” which was copyright and published in the Old Farmer’s Almanac in 1969 center section. In addition, he penned “Slow Down” and the “School Houses” chapter in the “Seven Villages of Barnstable” which he researched for one of his Master’s Degrees in 1976.
In addition to his writing, he enjoyed the beaches in the town of Barnstable, and Gordon was a special Police Officer for the Barnstable Police Department from 1962-1973.
Gordon was the devoted husband of Carolyn (Baker) and father of son, Attorney Mark Libbey. He leaves behind his beloved sisters-in-law Marsha Schultz and Janice Feeley, and brothers-in-law Jonathan and A. Peter Baker. Gordon also leaves his sister, Linda Robinson, his cousin Lorraine Patton, her husband Ron and their children Gabe and Andrew, Gordon’s dearest friend Debby Thibodeau, and nieces and nephews Jo-Ann, Jaime, Lyn, Lance, Kim and Jody.
Calling hours will be Saturday, October 5, 1-2:30 pm, with a 2:30 pm Prayer Service at Doane Beal & Ames, 160 West Main Street, Hyannis, MA 02601. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Gordon’s name may be made to the MSPCA, 1577 Falmouth Road, Centerville, MA 02362.
