Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Gregory John Gibbons

FUNERAL HOME

Honsa Family Funeral Home

2460 East County Road E

White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Gregory Gibbons Obituary

Gibbons, Gregory John - Husband, Father, Golfer Nov 3, 1959 - Nov 23, 2002 Died suddenly on Nov 23. Preceded in death by brothers, Michael, James and Thomas. Survived by loving wife of 22 years, Sheila; daughter, Kelly; sons, Thomas and Brian. Will be greatly missed by his parents, Jack & Clarice Gibbons; brother, Mark (Claire); sisters, Kathleen (Dan Fleischhacker) and Nora; father-in-law, Bill Smetana; brothers and sisters-in-law, Mary Ann, Jim, John and Marge; and many nieces and nephews. Graduated from St. Bernard's High School, U of M and Carlson School of Management with an MBA. Worked for 3M for 20 years in the corporate accounting area. He was an avid golfer. Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 AM Wed at ST. PIUS CATHOLIC CHURCH, White Bear Lake. Friends may call 4-8PM Tuesday at Honsa Family Funeral Home (2460 E. Cty Rd E, White Bear Lake). Interment Calvary Cemetery. In lieu fo flowers, memorials preferred for Children's College Fund. Honsa Family 651-429-6172.

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

Published by Pioneer Press on Nov. 25, 2002.

Memories and Condolences
for Gregory Gibbons

14 Entries

Kelly Gibbons

December 6, 2002

I just wanted to say thank you to all of the people that have been so kind in the last few weeks to my mom, my two brothers and myself. Thanks for everything you've offered to us. Some people have requested that I add the eulogy to the guest book, so here it is.

I want to first start off by saying that I didn't get my public speaking skills from my dad, so bear with me for just a few minutes.

As you all know, my dad had three very important things in his life...his family, his work, and his game of golf.

I listed my family first because we were always number one. He and my mom were high school sweethearts and were happily married for 22 years. My dad thought the world of my mom. He wined and dined her, was compassionate and caring towards her, and loved her with all of his heart. The two of them had three WONDERFUL children...I guess I'm a little biased, but I think we're pretty good kids. He was extremely dedicated to us kids...always making sure that we got to all of the places that we needed to go (whether we missed the bus or needed a ride to a friend's house). Since we were all involved with sports, dad also made sure that we always had the right equipment...And of course, always made sure that he got it on sale! Dad brought us to our practices and games, and spent countless hours at the two boy's hockey tournaments. He watched our games with a sense of pride, always very proud of us no matter how we did. He went to baseball, softball, volleyball, football, soccer, and hockey games. He was always there...whether it was physically or just in our thoughts--just as he will continue to be for the rest of our lives. The times that he couldn't make it, you can bet that he had some anxious kids waiting to get back to him to tell him all the details. He worked incredibly hard to make sure that we all met our goals and he worked even harder to make sure that his family was happy and well taken care of. My dad was also a very generous and giving person. One example we thought of was how he often times only had three dollars to his name for HIS lunch that day, but would ALWAYS give those three dollars to us kids to make sure that we got lunch...even if that meant that he went hungry. Dad loved spending time with us kids. A few trips that were especially memorable to both him and my brothers were the trips to the Boundary Waters. One disaster after the next, complicated by unpredictable weather and animals. It always led to an exciting adventure that the three of them loved every time they went. The stories that they brought back are hillarious and will be a very special memory for both of my brothers. Dad loved the four of us very much. He made me the person I am today. Without his love and guidance, I'm not quite sure I'd be where I am today or who I am today. He has taught us so many things about life, love, happiness, and ways to achieve our goals. He will be deeply missed by the four of us.

The second thing on my list was his love for his work. Dad was always a hard worker and gave 100% to his job...who else would have been there on a Saturday trying to get a few things done? Though this job proved to be stressful--with meetings scheduled all day, phone messages to return, and the 200+ emails he had to go through after being out of the office for only two days. He loved what he did and was incredibly good at it. He followed all the rules and definitely knew his stuff. He was an incredible resource for his co-workers and I'm sure that he will be greatly missed by all.

Lastly is the game of golf--or maybe it should have been first--well, at least a tie for second. Dad lived to eat, drink, sleep, dream about, practice, and play golf. He often times played golf at Tartan Park with some buddies from work, or his dad, or his family. He would play golf all summer long and wouldn't stop until it was too cold to play...not so much because he was freezing out there, but mainly due to the fact that the clubs could break in that cold of weather. He often times took half days on Fridays throughout the summer so he could play golf...even though he had just gotten to work at 9 or 10, and that was on a good day. This past summer he got really lucky because my mom played in a couple's league with him on Friday nights. That totaled up to TWO rounds of golf in one day...a perfect day for dad! The one thing that I still haven't understood is the fact that he has probably bought a dozen new putters in the last few years, each time thinking that a new putter would improve his game...however, the rest of us have seemed to notice that the new putters never really had any dramatic effect on his game. I guess it was worth a shot though!

I'd like to end by reading a poem called "Bits and Pieces."

Bits and Pieces

People important to you, and people unimportant to you cross your life, touch it with love and carelessness and move on. There are people who leave and you breathe a sigh of relief and wonder why you even came into contact with them. There are people who leave you and you breathe a sigh of memories and wonder why they had to go away and leave such a gaping hole.

Children leave parents, friends leave friends. Acquaintances move on. People change homes. People grow apart. Enemies hate and move on. Friends love and move on. You think of the many people that have moved into your hazy memory. You look at those present and wonder. I believe in God's master plan of life. God moves people in and out of each other's lives and each leaves a mark on the others.

You find that you are made up of tiny bits and pieces of all who have ever touched your life, and you are more because of it and would be less if they had not touched you yet. Thank you for touching my life.

I hope that my dad has touched each and every one of you here today and hope that he will live in your thoughts and memories forever.

Thanks again for everything you have all done!

Mark, Jill, Scott and Jaci Bossard

December 5, 2002

Sheila, Kelly, Tommy and Brian,

Jack and Clarise,

Mark, Kathy and Nora,

Words cannot express the sorrow I feel for the loss of Greg. He was a great friend to me. One who will truly be missed and never forgotten. I feel very fortunate and will always be grateful that my life was touched by Greg Gibbons. Thank you all for allowing me the opportunity and the great honor to serve my friend one last time and carrying him to his final resting place.

With all our love,

Mark, Jill, Scott and Jaci Bossard

North Branch, MN

Pam Vannelli/Klinkenberg

December 3, 2002

My deepest sympathy. I just found out through a co-worker what had happened, my heart goes out to your family.

Jeff & Lori

November 30, 2002

Our thoughts are with you, as are many memories given to us through Kelly and Danny's friendship.

The shock is still there and it is hard to put anything into words.

Our prayers are with you.

Kathleen Gibbons

November 28, 2002

I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE 43 YEARS I WAS ABLE TO SHARE WITH YOU GREG. I LOVE YOU AND I WILL MISS YOU IMMENSELY!

LOVE, KATHY

CAROL HENDRICKSON (BRENNHOFER)

November 27, 2002

SHEILA, KELLY, BRIAN AND TOM,

I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW SORRY I AM FOR YOUR LOSS. GREG WAS A WONDERFUL HUSBAND AND FATHER AND YOU CAN TAKE COMFORT AND PRIDE IN WHAT YOU AND HIM BUILT TOGEHTER. YOUR LOVE FOR HIM WILL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU THROUGH YOUR KIDS, THIER THOUGHTS AND MEMORIES AND YOUR OWN THOUGHTS AND MEMORIES. NEVER THE LESS IT IS STILL HARD TO COMPREHEND WHEN IT HAPPENS SO SUDDENLY. I AM SORRY I WASN'T ABLE TO BE THERE IN PERSON, BUT OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND THE KIDS AND WE ARE VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.

LOVE,

JEFF & CAROL HENDRICKSON

Kelli McSherry

November 27, 2002

Sheila, Kelly, Tom and Brian,

I am very sorry to hear about your sudden loss. I will keep all of you in my prayers.

diane ranalla-beane

November 27, 2002

To The Gibbons Family,

My prayers are with you at this time.

I am the one that played the piano at Greg's funeral and you would be glad to know how many people came up afterwards to say what a unique man Greg was. You and your family are in many prayers!

Please send my sympathies to Nora as well. I was unable to "give her a hug" this morning at mass.

renee salzbrenner

November 26, 2002

Shielia, Kelly & boys,

We extend our sympathy to all of you at this time of great loss in all of your lives. We remember you from times past, when you lived on Ebba and our Stacey went to Golfview with Kelly...stopping by to pick up or drop off Kelly to play and see Greg in the yard and say hello, he was always quiet and kind. Life is a journey for all of us and right now the road must seem very difficult and hard to travel for you. Please know we are very sorry about this loss and our thoughts and prayers are now with all of you.

sincerely

renee salzbrenner

John Wegleitner

November 25, 2002

Sheila and Family:

Our deepest sympathy and condolences are with you. Greg was a quietly competent and decent man, one whom we greatly respected and admired. While these words may seem hollow in this time of great and sudden tragedy, please be comforted by the full knowledge that Greg affected many people in a positive and meaningful way.

John Wegleitner,

SBH, 1978

Lisa (Zapp) Sager

November 25, 2002

Sheila and family,

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I remember Gibby as a very loving husband and dad. He will be missed.

Lisa (Zappa) Sager

Mary Netzloff

November 25, 2002

Sheila --

I've always admired how your love for each other started in high school & just kept going, what a gift. I hope you are able to find some comfort in the words of those around you.

My thoughts & prayers are with you & your family.

Mary (Erickson) Netzloff

SBH-Class of '79

Jennifer Bowman

November 25, 2002

Kelly, Sheila, Tommy, and Brian,

My deepest sympathies on the loss of Greg. I remember many days and evenings spent at your house, with Greg joking around with us all. Though I haven't seen you in a while, I send my prayers and thoughts to you all.

Love always, Jenni

jim florian

November 25, 2002

sheila,how does one put in words the shock and tradegy of greg's sudden and unexpected passing.my prayers and thoughts go out to you and your family.God bless

Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results