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BORN
1940
DIED
2017
FUNERAL HOME
Russell Gibson Obituary
AGE: 76 • Brick
Russell M. Gibson Age 76 of Bricktown, died Sunday March 5, 2017 at his home in Brick. A native of Orange who was raised in Newark, NJ before moving to Brick in 1963. He was a man of many trades. He was a professional blacksmith at Freehold Raceway, a barber, a dinner theater owner/operator/performer, a playwright, stand-up comedian, and an expert tailor. Since retiring as a blacksmith he found his passion as an actor. He has shared the big screen with many great actors on dozens of movies and tv shows. Some movies he is in are Big, Analyze This, Scent of a Woman, Unfaithful, Regarding Henry and The Polka King which will be released soon. Some television shows he had multiple appearances on are Black List, Law and Order, One Life to Live, All My Children and Saturday Night Live. He is a long-standing member of the Screen Actors Guild. He enjoyed having family and friends spotting him on various shows.
Besides acting he loved playing piano, guitar, violin, cooking, sewing, gardening and singing Karaoke. You name it he has done it!!!! Even piloting a plane! He lived life to the fullest and could always make people smile and laugh. What he loved most was spending time with his family, home and traveling to Maine. He loved his family more than anything in this world. He was a supportive, honorable, kind and strong father. He was "the family rock" to his children and grandchildren. He had a rich life with the ones he loved most. He will be missed and is loved. He is predeceased by his parents Albertina and John Gibson. He is survived by his brother John Gibson, former wife Judith Gibson, his son Reginald Gibson, Daughter and son in law Marylou and Robert Clayton and grandchildren Brian and Nicholas.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, 12 noon at Epiphany Church, 615 Thiele Rd., Brick. Arrangements are under the direction of Laurelton Memorial Funeral Home, 109 Pier Ave., Brick, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Actor's Fund of America, 729 7th Ave., 10th Floor, New York City, NY 10019 or www.actorsfund.org. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.laureltonmemorial.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Russell Gibson
Sponsored by Laurelton Memorial Funeral Home.
Sy Fuchs
April 22, 2025
I knew Russ from his farrier days at Freehold Raceway probably 50 years ago. We would swap jokes and practice comedy riffs. A good guy, a pleasure to be around. He had started getting roles in films. If memory serves I remember him playing a TWA desk clerk in Moon Struck. You're not forgotten.
Alison Pena
July 30, 2017
My husband, David Beynon Pena, painted a wonderful portrait of Russell Gibson some years ago in NYC. David passed away in September 2016 and I would like to pass Mr. Gibson's portrait on to his family. He greatly enjoyed spending time with Mr Gibson while he worked on the painting. Please email me at [email protected] to connect and I can send you a photo of the portrait and arrange pickup. I am sorry for your loss. Thank you. Best, Alison Pena
April 16, 2017
One of the funniest men I have ever known
Annemarie Koba
April 8, 2017
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Russ's passing. What a kind, funny man he was! I made his acquaintance at Leo's Barber shop where he cut my young son's hair. I got such a kick out of his stories about the movies he was in, and his commentary on life in general. Although I knew him only from going in the shop, I could tell he was quite a guy and I will surely miss seeing him. My condolences to his family and may he rest in peace.
Jeff
March 30, 2017
So sad to hear this news. He was such a great sweet guy, with great stories. The barbershop won't be the same. Rip pal
Amy and Tom Bevacqua
March 18, 2017
MaryLou, yesterday I said goodbye to your dad at his funeral mass. I prayed for peace, strength and comfort to help you and Reg and your family through his passing. I pray that one day the pain will give way for all of you and celebration of his memory will take its place through fun memories, carrying on his strength of character, and the smiles he lit up the world with. My family's hearts go out to you and your family.
March 15, 2017
He always was interested in what you had to say as I sat in his Barber chair. A very kind person and especially funny, could always make me smile.
Don Cook
March 14, 2017
Rest in peace Cosimo
TOM MULLENS
March 14, 2017
MY CONDOLENCES TO RUSS FAMILY. HE WAS A GREAT GUY. HE DID MY HORSES FOR YEARS. HE WAS A GREAT BLACKSMITH. TOM MULLENS.
March 13, 2017
Rest in peace Mr. Gibson.
Wendy Pellegrino
March 13, 2017
My deepest sympathies to his family. Our karaoke group is deeply saddened and shocked. I will miss him so. He was a special man and easily won my heart as a sweet, funny, endearing man. We developed a special friendship taking pictures together and sharing stories. RIP my dear sweet friend. EVERYONE AT KARAOKE IS HEARTBROKEN ❤
Jim Bates
March 13, 2017
My condolences to Russ' family. I was one of his "regulars" at Leo's Barber Shop in Toms River for many years, and I was saddened to hear of his passing. He was a good man with a great sense of humor, who even laughed at my jokes ! May he rest in peace.
March 12, 2017
Russell
Although we we were never close fiends as i was with Jack . I spent many times at your house. May God Bless You and Your Family
Jim Parsick
Las Vegas Nv.
Patrice Sarnatora
March 12, 2017
What a kind wonderful man!!! Cosmo we will miss you at Karaoke. Rest well my friend ❤✝ Love , Patrice
Rosemarie & Phil Romano
March 12, 2017
What a shock! Go back a long time. He was friends to my husband Phil and I go back to when he was in our wedding 46 years ago. You will be missed especially by Phil who you were so close to! My condolences to Reggie, MaryLou and all his family. Rest in Peace.
Chris Falkiewicz
March 12, 2017
I only knew Russell aka Cosmo a little over a year. We met at Karaoke where we became friends. He had many great stories but when he spoke about his family you could feel the love in his heart. He will live forever in the hearts and minds of those who cared about him. I know you touched my life.
Arlene Thriemer-Wright
March 11, 2017
Russell is a cousin of mine. I was so sorry to hear of his passing. He led a fascinating life that I admired very much. He followed his passion.
March 11, 2017
Russell was my younger brother. Even though we lived many miles apart,we were always very close in our hearts. We spoke very often by phone.
I will miss him very much. Russell, REST IN PEACE>.
You will always be in my heart.
Your brother,Jack
March 11, 2017
TO THE FAMILY;
My sincere condolences, even though I did not know him I know he will be missed. May the promise at JOHN 6:40 bring some comfort to the
family.
C.J.~Illinois
Pauline Johnson
March 11, 2017
The original stand up comedian and man who made me laugh so much as a child. I truly wish I could have seen him one last time to talk about old times and just laugh. My deepest sympathy to my first and best friend in life, Marylou, and her family. He will truly be missed by those who's lives he touched. May his memory live on forever.
Lillian Bertoldo
March 11, 2017
Cosmo will be missed
He always kept us laughing and entertained
A great guy with a big heart
Patty Reed-Wright
March 11, 2017
I am saddened to hear of the passing of this wonderful man. We worked together in theater many times and I was privileged to call him friend. He had a remarkable passion for life and his craft. He was Fun to be around too... and in some way perhaps that was his greatest gift of all.
Bill Gibson
March 11, 2017
So sorry we could never know each other except as very young kids during summer visits to grandparents in Parsippany.
John & Jackie Schipani
March 11, 2017
Knowing Him Many Years both as a Horseman and Recently as a KJ It is a great loss, he was the life of the party Cosimo as Known at Karaoke was Truly an Awesome Guy and Friend May he RIP, Gonna be Missed By All.
Carol and Walter Beebe
March 10, 2017
Mary Lou, Reggie, Bob and boys,
Walter and I are so sorry for the loss of your Dad and Granddad. What an amazing life he lived! We are thinking of you and sending you our warmest wishes for comfort and healing. Carol and Walter Beebe
Diana Merrill
March 9, 2017
I am saddened to hear of Uncle Russell's passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to Marylou, Reggie, my Dad and the rest of the family and friends touched by him.
I enjoyed the few times we talked on the phone and also spotting him in the many movies and television shows he appeared. He will be missed. Again, my deepest condolences.
Aunt Rosemary and uncle Steve
March 9, 2017
Our deepest sympathies to the family. May he rest in peace.
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