James R. Gibbs Jr.

Manhasset, N.Y. - Through tears, we wish to celebrate the life of James R. "Brew" Gibbs Jr., recently of Manhasset, N.Y. James left this wor1d early, Oct. 18, 2007, after a long and courageous battle with a rare and incurable cancer.

The son of Darlinda Clark Gibbs of 35 Lake Ave., Niantic and the late James R. Gibbs Sr., James was born at the U.S. Naval Submarine Base on May 15, 1974. Raised in Groton, he was an outstanding student at Eastern Point Elementary School, West Side Middle School, and Robert E. Fitch High School. James obtained his bachelor's degree from Yale University in 1996 where he majored in philosophy and rugby, not necessarily with that priority. Upon graduation, he became a successful stock trader on Wall Street in New York City.

James is survived by his wife of five years, Michele, and their four year old son, James Ronald Gibbs III, known as "Jack". He is also survived by his mother, Dee; his sister, Saundra; his nephew, Justin Welker; aunts, Delilah and her husband, Leon Hunt Sr., and Marlene and her husband, Richard Davis; uncles, C. Donald Clark and his wife, Betty, Richard Clark and his wife, Patricia, Edward Lange and his wife, Joan, and John Stefaniak; and numerous cousins. James also leaves behind a grieving in-law family headed by the incredibly generous and loving, Louis and Jeanette Kron of Smithtown, N.Y. A flood of close friends, some going as far back as grade school, have also been struck by the sadness of James' passing.

James was laid to rest on Monday, Oct. 22, in Pinelawn Memorial Park, Farmingdale, N.Y.

As the major contributor to James' care, donations may be made in his name to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, PO Box 750, New York NY 10021-0036.

James packed a lot of living into his 33 years. He had many interests and jumped into all of them with enthusiasm. He was intelligent, talented, charismatic, caring, and a happy man. We shall miss his wonderful smile, his infectious laughter, his jovial attitude, his witty sense of humor, and his loyal attentiveness to those he loved. The world is definitely. a better place for having known him. Though James' passing is acutely painful, the joy of his life will endure in our hearts forever.