September 28th, 1931 - February 15th, 2025
Richard It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of James Richard Gibbons (1931-2025) of Fergus on Saturday February 15th at the Hamilton General Hospital.
Predeceased by his parents, Wilfred and Eleanor. Born in 1931 in Iroquois, Ontario on the family farm, Jim worked on the Great Lakes as a ship hand while putting himself through school at Queen’s University graduating in 1956 with a degree in chemical engineering. Jim met and married his first wife Sheila in Sudbury, Ontario (deceased) The couple welcomed 6 children: Norah, Chris (Mary Kay), Joanne (deceased) Patti, Jeff (Kelly) and John (Rhiannon). Jim is survived by his wife, Mary of 31 years and her 4 children, David (Cheryl), Jan (Ed), Jeff (Lisa) and Brad (Angela) who together created the greatest family since “The Brady Bunch”. Jim is also survived by his brother Robert (Marlene), and sister, Gertrude (Kevin deceased), and his deceased siblings are Gordon (Maureen), Joan Welton (Glen) and Margaret Myers (Conrad) and Wilfred (Margery & Marian).
Jim’s greatest joy was found in spending time with friends and family; in particular, his grandchildren and great grandchildren: James, Sean, Nick, Alex, Joanne, Joe, Caiden, Violet, Connor, Jeff, Danielle, Ben, Trent, Ayden, Elise, and Alec. After graduation Jim started his career at Imperial Oil for 17 years. He joined Canadian Tire and moved the family from Toronto to Fergus and was the Dealer in Fergus for 24 years. Jim was passionate about the Town of Fergus and worked tirelessly helping to make the Town what it is today. Jim Served on Fergus council, as a councillor, deputy Reeve, Reeve and Mayor of Fergus, retiring with amalgamation of the municipalities.
Jim was also a proud Fergus Rotarian. One of Jim’s many gifts was forming lifelong friends, with people who became as close as family, including the Hartviksens, the Monaghans, Kennys, Abrams, and Pilkeys and these friends were as thick as thieves, providing countless memories from the schoolhouse, to the houseboat and cottage or wherever they could get together. Jim also welcomed many exchange students into his home who also became lifelong friends. Jim’s last years were spent raising money for the new Groves Hospital and the future hospice as he continued to serve the community, as many people who bought “Catch the Ace tickets” can attest. In Jim’s final weeks he received the King Charles Ill Coronation Medal for community service from the Canadian government.
A private family ceremony has taken place. A Celebration Of Life will be held in the Spring and in lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to The Fergus Groves Hospital and the Fergus-Aboyne Hospice. The family would like to thank the First Responders of Centre Wellington and the incredible staff of the Neuro Trauma ICU at Hamilton General Hospital who provided such great care and compassion in Jim’s final days.
Arrangements entrusted to Graham A Giddy Funeral Home