Thomas Edmund Gibes

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Thomas Edmund Gibes, age 84 on December 13, 2025, in St. Augustine, FL. Tom was raised in Franklin WI, a suburb of Milwaukee. He enrolled in ROTC and graduated from Greendale High School. He attended Marquette University and graduated in 1964. Tom served in the Navy and later settled in Oconomowoc, WI.

Tom worked in partnership with his father raising horses. He married Joanne Heintskill and together they raised four children. Tom loved sailing on the Great Lakes, recently a friend described Tom as "the spark plug of our sailing club".

Throughout his life, Tom was a friend to all with a nonjudgemental heart and a joyful spirit. With an entrepreneurial spirit, Tom engaged in multiple businesses from retail to real estate. Relocating to St. Augustine in 2010, he opened Allegro Pool Supplies and Inspections. He then found his dream project in 2013; he purchased and extensively rehabbed a historic St. Augustine home. With his artistic flare, He also developed two Air BnB accommodations, "The Captain's Quarters" and transformed a Airstream Trailer into a themed "Yellow Submarine" unit. Tom's keen knowledge of St. Augustine's history provided fireside entertainment for his guests; Tom thrived on the constant flow of new faces and he always had a story to share.

Tom and Diane Arsenault met in 2021, and they were married October 12, 2022. Their adventurous travels took them to England, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Turkey, Greece, and Alaska.

Tom actively engaged in his community, serving as a board member at church and Lullaby of the River. He especially enjoyed volunteering as a guide with HorsePlay Therapy Center of St. Augustine. Known for his love of life, he was always willing to help others from building shelves with his handy skills, he could fix anything. Tom's passion for life, love of music, and caring heart will carry on in those who knew and loved him.

Tom is survived by his wife Diane Gibes; children, Christopher Gibes (Anne), Daniel Gibes, Thomas Gibes, Jr. (Elizabeth), and Mary Elizabeth "Meg" Emrath (Chad); one sister, Margie Daly (Gibes), (Brandford FL); brother, Doug Gibes; grandchildren, John "Jack" Gibes, Lucas Gibes-Pearl, Dominick Gibes-Pearl, Cyrus Gibes-Pearl, Margo Gibes and Beatrix Gibes. He is preceded in death by his mother and father Lorraine Gibes (Thew) and Edmund Gibes, his wife Joanne Heintskill, and brother Steve Gibes.

A celebration of life will be held in St. Augustine on January 17th from Noon-4p.m. at the Elks Club located at 1420 A1A South, St. Augsutine, FL