Goodbye to a good friend
John & Mary Catherine in 2001 photo by JJT
John was the first president of the Allegheny-Kiski Valley
Historical Society and Museum.
The Museum was where John and Mary Catherine met in 1967. On March 22, 2009,
they were
at the Museum to see the new exhibit of photos by Pulitizer Prize winning
photographer Eddie Adams.
The next day, Mary Catherine said, John suffered the stroke that ultimately
ended his life.
"That is where our life began and ended - at the Museum," she said.
John B. Gibson - Obituary printed in the
VALLEY NEWS DISPATCH, April 7, 2009
It is with deepest regret that the family of John Barrie Gibson, 71, of
Washington Township, announces his passing on Sunday, April 5, 2009. The lives
of many around the valley were influenced by his writings and his caring
nature. John will be remembered as a devoted husband, a caring father and
grandfather and a friend to countless others. He will be missed dearly. John
was born Dec. 9, 1937, in Smethwich, England, to the late Thomas and Clara
(Foster) Gibson. John immigrated to the Pittsburgh area in 1957. He had been a
resident of Washington Township for more than 40 years. John was employed as a
newspaper reporter, working for the Valley News Dispatch for more than 30
years, during which time he received several awards for his writing including,
three Golden Quill Awards and First Place for Column Writing in the
Pennsylvania Keystone Awards in 2005. Throughout his life, John volunteered
his energy and time to a vast number of organizations and causes in the area
including charter member and first president of the Alle-Kiski Historical
Museum, located in Tarentum. John was the first president of the Kiski Valley
Veterans and Patriots Association, Leechburg. He was a strong supporter of
local fire departments, receiving many accolades for his work, including
honorary membership. He held positions on the Board of Directors for the
Apollo Memorial Library and the Kiski Valley Senior Citizens Association in
East Vandergrift. John was a member of the New Kensington Civic Theater,
appearing in musical productions, and he also appeared in productions at the
Casino Theater in Vandergrift. He was an associate member of the St. Vincent
DePaul Society, Apollo. John loved classical, jazz and Broadway music. He had
a special interest in history, poetry and art. He loved to travel and read and
was avid classic movie buff, especially silent films. As a reporter, he always
had time for children and the senior citizen population. One of his favorite
things was to be Santa Claus, especially when visiting the ill or handicapped
children and adults. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Mary (West)
Gibson; three sons, John (Tina) Gibson, of Gibsonburg, Ohio, Louis (Kim)
Gibson, of North Apollo, and David Gibson, of Washington Township; six
grandchildren, Crista, Courtney, John, Alex, Elizabeth and Samantha; one
brother, Thomas (Binky), of West Bromwich, England; family, Joseph and
JeanneWalkiewicz and Richard and Eva Cavaliere; and many nieces and nephews.
At the family's request there will be no visitation or viewing. Arrangements
handled by the CURRAN-SHAPPER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY INC., 100 Owens View
Ave., Apollo, PA 15513. Liturgical services will be conducted at 10 a.m.
Wednesday at St. James Roman Catholic Church, Apollo, with Father John T.
Euker officiating. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may
be sent to any of the following, Apollo Memorial Library, 219 N. Penn, Apollo,
PA 15613, St. Vincent DePaul Society, 116 N. Plaza, Apollo, PA 15613,
Alle-Kiski Historical Museum, 224 E. 7th Ave., Tarentum, PA 15084 or Good
Samaritan Hospice at Concordia, 134 Marwood Road, Cabot, PA 16023.
VALLEY NEWS DISPATCH, April 7, 2009