Richard E. Gibbons

He leaves a daughter, Leslie Ann Fuller of Portland, Maine, a son Mark Edward Gibbons of Brooklyn, New York, four grandchildren: Sarah and Shannon Nugent of Washington, DC, and Sophia Rae and Eva Story Heisman-Gibbons of Brooklyn, New York, two great grandchildren: Robert and Liam Wallbaum of Washington, DC, and a sister, Jacqueline Kelly of Warren, Rhode Island. Richard and Olivia were born and married in Fall River, Massachusetts.

He served in Patton’s Third Army in WWII. After the war they moved to Long Island, New York where he graduated from Hofstra University and worked for Long Island Lighting Company. He was manager of Street Lighting for all Long Island and the Public Works Coordination Division. He lived in Northport Long Island for over 20 years, where he was active within the community, as a board member of the Northport Yacht Club, and chairman of the Holy Name Society of the Saint Philip Neri Church. He retired in 1987, and moved to Bristol in 1991, living in North Farm. He became an active member of the Bristol Yacht Club, a member of the North Farm Board of Governors, and worked as a Street Lighting consultant to the Town of Bristol and other area towns. He was an avid sailor and amateur sculptor.

His beloved wife Olivia was everything to Richard. He was the North Star for his family and his love and kindness has shaped the life journeys of his children and their families. His unfailing optimism and enthusiasm for life touched everyone. They must now find their way without him.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at 10:00 AM in St. Mary of the Bay Parish, 645 Main St., Warren. Burial in St. Mary of the Bay Cemetery, Warren. Visitation, Tuesday 4:00 – 7:00PM at WILBUR-ROMANO FUNERAL HOME, 615 Main St., Warren, RI. Contributions may be made in his memory to the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, 12 Sanderson Rd., Smithfield, RI 02917. For condolences, www.wilbur-romano.com