Joseph P. Giblin

SPRINGFIELD - Joseph P. Giblin, 85, of Springfield, died on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2006, in North Chatham, comforted by his wife and children. Joseph's wife of 64 years, Lucille M. (McLaughlin) Giblin, was his high school sweetheart.

He also leaves his children: Daniel J. Giblin of Plover, Wis.; Susan A. Giblin of Cranston, R.I.; John P. Giblin and his wife Jeanne of North Eastham; and Jay P. Giblin and his wife Elizabeth of Cheshire, Conn.; a sister, Margaret Goulet, of Springfield; grandchildren Kate Ramseier, wife of Josh Ramseier and mother of Maya Ramseier, Mary Giblin and Anne Giblin, all of Wis.; Christa Wood and her partner, Tom Shinskey, of N.J.; Katy Wood and her husband John Sullivan of R.I.; Brian Wood of Calif.; Jay Giblin of Ind.; Peter Giblin of Mass.; Paul Giblin of Miss.; and Joseph Giblin of Conn. Joseph was predeceased by a granddaughter, Fiona Giblin; two brothers, James Giblin and John Giblin; and a sister, Mary Letellier.

He traveled often with his dear wife. Grandpa Joe loved teaching his grandchildren to make pancakes and scooters and small wooden boats. He kept busy telling stories and taking photos of every life event, and never sat in one place for very long. He had a smile for everyone. Joe and Lucille spent many hours with their treasured lifelong friends. He had an abiding interest in hockey and golf and was involved with several local athletic associations over the years.

He was born in Springfield on Nov. 24, 1920, a son of the late James B. and Mary E. (Sullivan) Giblin and was a 1939 graduate of Cathedral High School in Springfield, where he played on the hockey and golf teams. Joseph served his country during World War II in the Navy.

He was a communicant of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, where he was an altar boy as a youth. Joseph was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Elks Lodge, all in Springfield. He was a member of the Ostomy Association and the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association.

Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 13, at Sampson's Chapel of the Acres Funeral Home, 21 Tinkham Road, Springfield. Mass of Christian burial will follow at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, 405 Boston Road, also in Springfield, followed by Rites of Committal with Military Honors, in the Committal Chapel of the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main St., in Agawam. Visiting hours will be held at the funeral home on from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12.

Donations may be made in Joseph's name to Broad Reach Hospice, 390 Orleans Road, North Chatham, MA 02650 or to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney St., Boston, MA 02115. Please omit flowers.