GIBNEY, John F., of Wayland and Boynton Beach, FL passed away peacefully surrounded by family on June 15, at the Parmenter Hospice in Wayland. Cause of death was pulmonary hypertension. He was 89 years young.
Beloved and cherished husband of Carol (Briody) Gibney for 39 years. Devoted father of John D. Gibney and wife Mary of Stow, Patricia G. Webster and husband Chris of Santa Fe, NM and James S. Gibney and wife Kathleen of Hopkinton. Loving “Gramps” to Brendan Gibney, Christopher Webster, Whitney Siegman, Cameron Stewart, James, Devon and Hannah Gibney. Dear brother of the late Thelma Loring and Richard M. Gibney. Dear brother-in-law of Priscilla Gibney and Sarah Briody and brother-in-law Robert J. Briody and wife Felice. Also survived by former wife Betty Fowler and many nieces and nephews
John was born on January 2, 1926 to the late Clarence and Edith (White) Gibney in Hingham and was raised in Canton. He served our country during WWII as a navigator in the USAF. He graduated in three years from Brown University with a degree in Economics, class of ‘49, always saying he was “in a hurry!” During his time at Brown he was captain of the golf team, active on the hockey team and was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.
After college he joined Warner Electric and was appointed territory manager in the New England Area. His charter was to put on distribution, which he did, and also a distributor called Warren Pike Associates. He quickly rose through the corporate ranks with Warner making a quick stop in NJ as Regional Manager, before going to headquarters in South Beloit, Illinois, to become VP Sales. He continued to have great success with Warner for 25 years, but always wanted to get back to New England. In 1970, he bought Warren Pike Associates in Boston. He continued growing his business and acquiring similar distributors, W.M. Steele Co. of Worcester and Providence, RI and Cohen Machinery of Manchester NH., and also created JG Industries. He served as president of the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA), and board member of the Independent Distributors Cooperative (IDC). He retired from JG Industries in 2005.
On his father’s side, he was a descendent of Thomas Gibney who was born in County Meath, Ireland and whose family settled in Hamilton MA in the early 1800s on land that was eventually sold to the Myopia Hunt Club. Polo matches continue to be played on Gibney Field in Hamilton. On his mother’s side, he was a descendent of Peregrine White who came to this country on the Mayflower and whose family settled in the Duxbury area.
John was a member of The Weston Golf Club, Quail Ridge Country Club, Boynton Beach, Fl and a former 22 year member of Oyster Harbors Club, Osterville. An avid golfer all of his life, his passion for the game was shared by Carol, Johnny, Patti, Jimmy and grandchildren James, Devon, Hannah and Brendan. That made him very proud as did his 4 holes-in-one. In addition to golf, he was a "recreational" pilot from the early 1950’s to the early 1970’s, flying out of Norwood and Hollywood, Fl as well as a true Red Sox and Patriots fan, hardly ever missing a game on television.
Visiting hours are from 4-8 PM on Wednesday June 17, at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St. (Rt.16), Wellesley, MA. A service will be held Thursday June 18 at 9:00 AM, in the Funeral Home followed by burial in Linwood Cemetery in Weston. Service and interment are private. The family invites all who shared in his life to a memorial celebration from 12 Noon-3:00 PM at The Weston Golf Club, 275 Meadowbrook Rd., Weston, MA on Thursday June 18.
In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made to the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in honor of Dr. Joseph Corkery, 41 Mall Rd., Burlington, MA 01805 or Parmenter VNA & Hospice, 266 Cochituate Rd., Wayland, MA 01778.