John Gibb died peacefully in Falmouth on the morning of July 27. He was 66.
He was born on June 20, 1956 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital to John and Victoria Pease Gibb. He grew up in Edgartown. Instead of continuing his high school education, he chose to learn the trade of a stone mason from Marvin Burnham.
He had the opportunity to work as a “brickie” in the Boston area and left the Island. He moved back to the Island upon the request of his sister when his brother in law died unexpectedly. While he was settling back into Island life, he met Jennifer Wray. They dated for five years before marrying in September 2001. Their Hannah is also called Sweetie.
He worked for several different companies on the Island, laying beautiful brick and cobblestone walkways, driveway aprons, and building fireplaces and chimneys. He took pride in his work and always took the opportunity to look at the bricks at the Vineyard Haven Post Office, checking to see that they haven’t “popped up,” and he would occasionally check in on the brick wall inside Linda Jean’s Restaurant.
He loved TMC movies starring John Wayne and Clint Eastwood and even persuaded Jennifer to watch them with him. He was a New England Patriots fan whose enthusiasm often prompted him to yell and jump up and down while watching the games. Also, a die-hard Red Sox fan, John acted the same when they got a home run or had a great play on the field. He was aware of David Ortiz’s induction into the hall of fame and was excited for him.
His happy place was when walking the Island beaches to find sea glass and marbles. He was always eager to share his treasures with Hannah.
John is survived by his wife Jennifer and their daughter Hannah; his brother Alan and his wife Jeanne of New Bedford; his sister in law Marcia Gibb; his sister in law Laurie Turney and her husband Joe; his in laws William and Kathleen Wray; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was predeceased by his mother Victoria, sister Pamela Rogers, brother in law John F. Rogers. brother Ronald, brother in law Jeffrey (Bubba) Wray and, recently, his great-nephew Joey Stiner.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 6 at the New Westside Cemetery in Edgartown. A gathering at the P.A. Club in Oak Bluffs will follow the service.
Memorial donations can be made to Serving Hands aka Vineyard Committee on Hunger, c/o Alicia Nicholson, P.O. Box 1993, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568 or MV Care Management ICMP Fund (Integrated Case Management Program), c/o Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, P.O. Box 1477, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.
For more information and online tributes, please visit chapmanfuneral.com.
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