James "Gibby" Christover Izzard

Gibby was the son of the late Cecelia (Douglas) Izzard and James Alonzo Izzard. Gibby is predeceased by his daughter Alysia, grandson Carlington, brothers Jimmie and Ernie, sister Rita, and nephew Christover. Honorary mention to the late Cathy Costain and Att Reddick, who were also like family, and there for us during one of the most tragic times in our lives.

Gibby is survived by his daughter Akaysha and son Jameson (Toronto), brothers Trace [Vicky] (Vancouver), John (Nova Scotia), sisters Elizabeth, Jenny [Paul], Ann [Wayne], Lisa [Buda], Robin [Mark], honorary sister Patsy [Ronald] (Toronto), grandchildren Messiah, Matthias, Ezekiel, Zacarii, and partner Maureen, in addition to the many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.

Gibby is also survived by Helen [mother of his children] and the Killeen family (Toronto), who embraced Gibby and made him apart of their family as well.

Big energy and an even bigger smile, with a voice that was unmistakable! There was nothing thicker, no question, than the loyalty he had for his family and friends. Gibby worked at the Ontario Food Terminal for twenty (20) plus years and was an excellent provider for his family.

As a teenager, Gibby looked up to his cousin Freddie Jackson who was also a boxer, and the similarities between Gibby and Freddie were astounding, the resemblance, the deepness in their voices, their rough exterior, and a heart of gold.

Anyone that knew Gibby, also knew he loved to fight. Charles “Snookie” Tynes a former boxer in the Canadian Army, seeing that passion and wanting to harness it in a positive direction, took Gibby to a local gym and began training with him.

Gibby had the opportunity to box professionally for seven (7) years. As you all know, there is a certain swagger, confidence and especially a cockiness that comes with being a boxer; and Gibby was definitely a heavyweight champion when it came to that!

In his neighbourhood he was known as the “Bike Guy.” Gibby would find old bikes, salvage the parts, and use them to fix peoples bike for a small charge. He especially loved fixing-up children’s bicycles and giving them to the neighbourhood kids for free.

Make no mistake; James Christover Izzard “Gibby” was loved and will be deeply missed by all who had the good fortune of knowing him.