Search by Name

Search by Name

Sam Gibbons Obituary

Former U.S. Rep. Sam Gibbons, who represented Tampa in the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years, has died. He was 93.

Published by TBO.com from Oct. 11 to Nov. 10, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Sam Gibbons

Not sure what to say?





42 Entries

Cliff, Mark and Tim:

Tampa have lost a great icon. I can never forget the trip to Cuba with your mother and Dad via Cancun about 15 years ago. The meeting and conversation with Fidel, and other pieces of the trip.

What a pleasure to have known your father.

Besat always, Luisa and Frank Cisneros

October 25, 2012

With great respect for a fine man,

Marjorie Arnade, Wilmington, NC

October 20, 2012

Cliff, Mark and Tim
So sorry for your loss. How fortunate you three were to have such an extraordinary man as your dad.

John Lister

October 20, 2012

May God Keep His Family Strong He Was A Great Man and Still is in My Book!

October 20, 2012

LOVE YOU SAM. I WALKED WITH YOU WHEN YOU WERE RUNNING FOR CONGRESS. ALSO WALKED WITH YOUR SON MARK. I MISS YOU. SAW YOU AT A WALGREENS ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO AND HUGGED YOU. SO GLAD I DID.

Anna Ruth Baldwin

October 19, 2012

My fondest memories as a child were watching Congressman Gibbons and his lovely wife riding in the convertible and waving to us all as he rode in the Gasparilla parades - it was like seeing a family member and he was embracing all the thousands of us who were along the parade route - we'll all see you again some day on the other side and in the meantime may God be with all your loved ones.

Mary Otero

October 19, 2012

you helped my dad when he had a problem we were forever grateful

caren frix

October 19, 2012

SAM was a giant of a man and a true statesman. His love of his family and country was evident in everything he accomplished. He was a grand mentor and a comforting friend. He will be greatly missed.
Frances Johnson Wright

Frances Wright

October 18, 2012

The day the first class arrived at USF,1960, Sam Gibbons was there to greet us and shake our hand. Treasured moment.

ELLA Myers

October 18, 2012

I can remember as a young boy, Sam Gibbons visiting my parent's home in West Tampa. It must have been when he was first running for Congress.It is as clear as it was yesterday. A great Tampa man and great American.I know the family will miss him greatly as I do my Daddy. As a USF grad I owe him much.
Thanks again,Sam
Lou Villarosa Jr.

October 16, 2012

Congressman Gibbons was a major asset when, in the early 60s, USF was attempting to establish our research capabilitiee

William Taft

October 15, 2012

It was an honor to serve in the U.S. Congress with Sam Gibbons. He was a
delightful peron who ingratiated himself with just about everyone he met. It was great that my wife Nancy and I had the pleasure of being with him on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of D-Day. Although very
modest it was well known that Sam was one of the heroes who parachuted into
France at the pivotal time in our victory over the Nazis in WWII. Sam was a very effective public servant, a
great American who served us well and
will long be remembered. May God richly bless America and Sam's family!!

Earl Hutto
U.S. Congressman 1979-95

October 15, 2012

Sad to hear of the passingly of a great man. I knew Sam early in my life from the stories my dad told of playing "kick the can" with his friend Sam during the depression. Sam provided me with great comfort when my dad Doc Wetherell passed away a few years ago. I will forever hold a warm place in my heart when I remember him. My condolences to the family.
Dan and Susan Wetherell
Santa Rosa Beach, Fl

October 15, 2012

having known Sam Gibbons and being friends with his family has been a highlight in my life, I am so sad with his passing, Raymond Miller

October 14, 2012

Gibbons Family,

We wish to extend our most sincere condolences.

Terry Greenhalgh and Family

October 14, 2012

Dear Cliff, Mark and Tim..........I am grateful to have sweet memories of Uncle Sam. They will remain in my heart forever.
With love, Heidi Loomis

October 13, 2012

Mark & Family:
We have had a lifetime of friendship with the Gibbons family and Sam has been a wonderful friend. Dad held same as one of his closest---and the Romeo's was his most important meeting each week. We miss our dad...and know that the feelings will be the same. Your dad meant a lot to us....and his accomplishments for the community and our nation are immeasurable. Our deepest sympathy goes to you all. We will miss Sam, his great smile...and his encouragement to speak out and do what is right!

Pat & Brenda Hill

October 13, 2012

Sam was a friend of my Father, Dave Foster. When my Dad died suddenly of a massive heart attack in 1970, my brother, Haddon was in Vietnam but had gone on R & R to Australia. No one could find him, not even the Red Cross. My Dads cousin Rupert Bodden also a friend of Sam called him. Sam got my brother home in a short time. I will never forget his help. He was such a kind and gentle man and a great politician . God bless you all. Davylyn Foster Mitchell

October 13, 2012

With deepest sympathy.

Michael Cannella

October 13, 2012

Congressman Sam Gibbons was a dear friend, My deepest sympathy's to his fine sons. I had the occassion to get to know Sam and Martha very well as I accompanied them several times to Europe and around the world when he was Chairman of a very important sub-committee on the Ways and means Committee. I accompanied him to Normandy and Bastogne where he served with the 101st Airborne Division in WWII, I served with the 101st in Vietnam and we were very close as veterans of the Division. He took me through all the battles areas he served with the Division and what a great honor and privledge that was and I will never forget. Martha was shocked that he and I climbed over fences and hedrows to locate the Drop Zone he landed at during the War, and he insisted we go after midnight, I still laugh as Martha thought we were both nuts. Sam loved the people of Tampa and talked about them endlessly on our trips.
God Bless and keep you Sam, you were a great one and there will never be another like you, it is finally your time to Rest in Peace, you earned that honorable Airborne soldier! You will be missed and I personally will miss our phone calls, especially our lasyt one.
ALL THE WAY SIR !

JOHN HAY

October 12, 2012

R.I.P m.r gibbons,although i never had the pleasure of meeting you,i heard that your love of tampa is something most of us are incapable of,god bless buddy

bonnie gropper

October 12, 2012

This is a time when I really wish I xcould be in Tampa. Sam, Martha, Mark, Cliff and Tim all meant a lot to me, and the the community to which they were and are dedicated. I'm going to try to live up to his standards so I can see him again on the other side.

Paul Hogan

October 12, 2012

Sam Gibbons was the real deal.Weloved him.He will be so missed for so long

Jannice Groh

October 12, 2012

I was born with aa disability. In 1973 when Voc Rehab refused to allow me to finish school because I could not drive, Gibbons stepped in and got the state to pay for my dorm and tuition so I could earn my degre in Psychology from USF. It changed my life. He was a great man.

Barbara J. Toll

October 12, 2012

Sam Gibbons was a great person in every way!

Henry Busciglio

October 12, 2012

a very good man

roger stillwell

October 12, 2012

Nicest most sincere and caring man I have met. Cliff, Mark, Tim- deepest condolences to you all.

John Trujillo, Sr.

October 12, 2012

Sam Gibbons was not an ordinary and commom man. He was a champion among men. From his valiance on the battlefield to his decades of compassionate public service he epitomized the definition of the greatest generation. His steadfast courage for his fellow man, community and country will be forever lasting. I was blessed to know this kind and generous gentleman and his wonderful family. My sympathies and condolences to his family. Richard C. Minardi

Richard Minardi

October 11, 2012

Thank you Congressman Gibbons. I arrived from Cuba at the age of nine and although it took me five years to be able to
reunite with my parents in the
USA, it happened because of your assistance. You made it happen by acting on all the letters I wrote you in a period of five years. The State of Florida and the City of Tampa has lost a great public servant.
Thank you for your service and my condolescence to your family.

Tony Argiz

October 11, 2012

My condolences to his family.

Renee Schnetzer

October 11, 2012

Thank you Mr. Gibbons for all you did, personally I have a lot to be thankful to you, may God bless you and receive you in his loving arms

Dina Castellon

October 11, 2012

Richard Cunliffe

October 11, 2012

What a wonderful man. Despite our age difference we became good friends. I'll always remember the great conversations we had at the beach.
My condolences to the Boys.

John Annis

October 11, 2012

Mr. Gibbons was a wonderful man. He wasn't democrat or republican to me. He was a servant who worked very hard for his constituents. The ideal politician. He was so approachable, always available to hear your problem. Present day politicians should take a lesson from him. We have lost a GREAT man who will be missed very much. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Rest in peace sir.

Carol Anderson

October 10, 2012

Sam Gibbons was a household name when I was growing up. He was a very trusted friend to my dad, the late William Bowlby who was real property officer at FHA in the 50's and early 60's. He was truly a man of integrity, and it is easy to see why he was re-elected so many times.

Linda Anthony

October 10, 2012

I'm proud and honored to have known Sam Gibbons for many, many years. A great man.

Stephen Bennett

October 10, 2012

Mr. Gibbens was a true American,i wish we had more men like him today!

Greg

October 10, 2012

May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace.

The Rev. John R. and Kay Peterson

October 10, 2012

Among Sam Gibbons' very long list of accomplishments was co-sponsoring, with Congressman Bill Young, the nomination of Tampa Bay as an Estuary of National Significance, bringing an infusion of federal money that kick-started the bay's dramatic recovery. Mr. Gibbons was a gentleman politician in an era when bi-partisanship was not a dirty word. What a legacy he has left the people of the Tampa Bay region!

Nanette O'Hara

October 10, 2012

Great Man and Servant of the people,for the people.One of the few great and honest politicians,we could use more like him this day and time

Ed Williams

October 10, 2012

Thank you former Senator Gibbons for all you did for USF. May you rest in peace and continue to do good things in Heaven

Wanda Mundy

October 10, 2012

Great man. I was proud and happy when I casted my first vote for him. May he rest in peace and enjoy the reward of heaven for a life well lived. Amen.

Aura Jordan

October 10, 2012

Showing 1 - 42 of 42 results

Make a Donation
in Sam Gibbons's name

How to support Sam's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Sam Gibbons's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more