Thomas J Gibbons

Tom, also affectionately known as T.J., Doc, and Daddy-O, was born on March 4, 1921 in County Mayo, Ireland, the twelfth of 13 children born to Thomas and Bridget Gibbons. The family emigrated to the United States in 1929 when Tom was eight years old. The family lived in Brooklyn, New York, where Tom attended St. Teresa of Avila grammar school and was awarded an athletic scholarship to St. Joseph Preparatory School in Bardstown, Kentucky. There he played on a championship basketball team, was twice named to the Kentucky All State Football Squad and was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame. One of his football teammates recently described him as "one helluva halfback."

Tom attended John Carroll University on a football scholarship and served with the Marines in the Pacific during World War II. When he returned from the service he married Alice Kiefer, with whom he had nine children - Andrew, Thomas, Jr., Anne, Joseph, Teresa, Mary, Eileen, Kathleen and Timothy. He worked as a fireman and attended New York University, where he received a Masters in Physical Education. He taught for several years in New York City public schools and coached football at Brooklyn Prep. He then became a guidance counselor and retired from the Board of Education as a Supervisor of Guidance. He was an adjunct professor at Lehman College and was an educational consultant at Graham Windham Schools. During summers he worked as director of Incarnation Day Camp for several years and ran Braddock Day Camp with his dear friend and colleague, Joe Wynne.

Over the years, while raising nine children and working many jobs, Tom studied to become a Doctor of Education. His wife, Alice, typed all his papers, including his dissertation.

Tom was a wonderful grandfather to Brian, Julie, Diana and Caroline. He was very fortunate to live to see and enjoy four beautiful great grandchildren, Gavin, Elena, Nicholas and Tyler. A fifth great grandchild is expected in May.

Throughout his life Tom was always interested in learning new things. He was an avid golfer, and in retirement he became a long distance runner. He ran 52 marathons and was named New York City Road Runner of the Year in his age group several times. His basement overflows with trophies of his many victories. He ran his last NYC Marathon with son-in-law John and granddaughter Julie in 2001 at the age of 80. Although he knew he wouldn't be able to finish, he ran and completed 18 miles to raise funds for the St. Gregory the Great Counseling Center, where many people were seeking counseling after 9/11. He performed with a local Irish theater group, learned how to tap dance from his granddaughter, Diana, and dabbled in painting. He coached many friends and relatives and was an inspiration to people of all ages.

Tom was a very active members of St. Gregory the Great Parish in Bellerose. He served on the Parish Council, was a member of the Holy Name Society and the Ancient Order of Hibernians . He served on the board of the Queens Childrens Hospital and of the parish counseling center.

Thomas is survived by his wife, Alice, his brother, Joseph and wife, Ann, his sister, Anne, his children and their spouses, Andy and Ann, Tom and Irene, Anne and Ivan, Joe and Kathy, Teresa and John, Mary and Terry, Eileen, Tim and Antoinette, his grandchildren and their spouses, Brian and Laurie, Julie and Joe, Diana and Giovanni, Caroline and Michael, his four great grandchildren, Gavin, Elena, Nicholas and Tyler, and many nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his daughter, Kathleen.

Nothing above really describes the unique person that Tom Gibbons was. To know him was to love him. He was kind and gentle, had a wonderful sense of humor and was accepting of everyone. He had a spirit of adventure and an ability to "roll with the punches" through life's difficulties. Tom was loved by family, friends, neighbors and parishioners of St. Gregory the Great, and he will be missed terribly. In lieu of flowers please make donations to The Wounded Warriors Foundation, or the Family Counseling Office of the Church of Saint Gregory The Great.