John W. Gibbon

Family and friends are invited to call on Saturday February 9, 2013 at the Townsend-Wood Funeral Chapel, 201 E. Elm St., Penn Yan, NY from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. John’s funeral service will take place at the funeral home right after calling hours, with Rev Carol Pinneo Officiating. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in John’s name to Keuka Comfort Care, PO Box 107, Penn Yan, NY 14527 or the Humane Society of Yates County, PO Box 12, Penn Yan, NY.

John W. Gibbon died February 2, 2013 at the age of 90. Predeceased in 1980 by his first wife Donna, he married the second love of his life, Barbara, by whom he is survived, in 1984. He is also survived by his sister Frances (Gaylord) Farwell, brother Edwin Gibbon and his wife Jo, children, John W. Gibbon II and his wife Sherry, Michael Lamphier and Beth Payne, many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews by whom he will be fondly remembered and greatly missed. John was predeceased by his brother William (Bill) Gibbon and daughter Sally Gibbon.

John served as a Sergeant in the U.S Army during the Second World War. Following his discharge he resumed civilian life as a muck farmer living in the hamlet of Potter Center but, dissatisfied with that, obtained his license to sell insurance and joined with Robert Benson to form the Gibbon & Benson Insurance Agency in Penn Yan which he owned and maintained until his retirement in 1986.

In the community he was a Kiwanian and worked at their annual charity auction. He was a Life Member of the Johnson Costello American Legion Post 355. He also performed with PYTCo. in the musicals 1776 and Fiddler on the Roof.

Baseball was always John’s passion and, when he no longer felt he could play “hardball”, he moved on, and played slow-pitch for many years. He also played tennis (both court and table) sponsored and captained a bowling team for many years and was an avid golfer and a long-time member of Lakeside Country Club. At family gatherings he loved to play cribbage with his brother-in-law Bill Cole and, euchre with anyone who would pick up the cards.

Family and friends may sign the guestbook at www.townsendwoodfuneralchapel.com