Search by Name

Search by Name

BORN

1946

DIED

2019

James Gibilisco Memoriam

In memory of James R. Gibilisco.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on May 16, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for James Gibilisco

Not sure what to say?





4 Entries

Mary McMillan

January 21, 2025

I found this out happenstance a few years ago, as I was looking for an email for him, so I could finally figure out what the sign above his door meant. Instead I found my heart broken. He was my favorite teacher, ever. He taught my two older brothers, Charles and Alex, and myself, Mary, and my little sis Mia. All at Grant Elementary. The four of us, and my mom Frani, could tell stories about him all day. We loved you so much Mr. G. Always in my heart

Jim Lee

June 6, 2019

Jim Gibilisco's Memorial Service May 22, 2019
Honesty & Sincerity = Integrity
Hello, my name is Jim Lee and I live here in Lemon Grove where Jim and his family live, but in many way Jim & I lived on different sides of the tracks (the trolley tracks), literally and figuratively.
He was a school teacher.
I was a fireman.
He kindled fires in children's minds in the classroom.
I put out the fires that they started playing with matches in their backyards.
He went to a Catholic church.
I went to a Baptist church.
(But we both had the same God. And by the way, you need the same God.)
Jim & I were very different but softball brought us together.
We met on the softball fields of Mt. Miguel High School and became partners in the administration of a girl's softball league named Valley Mesa Grove.
My daughter was a few years older than Kathleen so I was president of the league when there was a commotion on the field with the youngest players.
I was told that there was a coach who told his players to roll the softball to first base instead of throwing it and their team kept winning because this tactic was very successful.
I walked to the field and that was my first introduction to Jim Gibilisco.
I didn't argue with him. How do you argue with success? Jim saw it one way and I saw it a different way.
This was a perfect prelude to our future relationship.
To make a very, very long story short, Jim became the State Umpire-in-Chief and I became the State Jr. Olympic Commissioner.
From that very humble beginning, we worked together, along with many other very dedicated men and women, for many long years to develop the Southern California Amateur Softball Association (which is the governing body of the United States Olympic Committed) from a few hundred teams to thousands of teams here in the six counties of Southern California.
That included the little ones playing Tee Ball to Olympic Athletes and International Competition. Jim was responsible for governing the teams on the field, while I governed them off the field.
Working together, Jim and I accomplished much in developing an organization that still thrives after we have left Jim by death, me by choice.
But it is not the organization that is most important in our lives. It is the relationships that developed and continue. It's not the plaques on the walls but rather the memories in our hearts that matter now.
Our God made us to be relational beings. First our relationship with the One True God, then the relationships with each other.
In the end, I will not so much cherish the awards and accomplishment as much as the relationship that God allowed me to experience and be a part of through the game of softball working with a man of much honesty, sincerity, and integrity named Jim Gibilisco.

Eternal Friendship Remembrance Bouquet - VASE INCLUDED

Mabel Drew

Sent Flowers

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results

Make a Donation
in James Gibilisco's name

Memorial Events
for James Gibilisco

May

22

Funeral Mass

10:00 a.m.

St. John of the Cross Church

Lemon Grove, CA

How to support James's loved ones
Honor a beloved 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
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
How to Write an Obituary

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

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 James Gibilisco's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

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

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

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

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

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

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