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