William “Hoot” Gibson, age 73, of Ansonia, entered eternal rest on September 2, 2024, at Yale New Haven Hospital, after a wonderful and fulfilling life.
He was the loving husband of forty-six years to Mary LoVarco Gibson. Bill was born in Derby on October 3, 1950, son of the late William Lambert Gibson and Stella Maciag Gibson. He graduated from Ansonia High School in 1968, along with his future wife Mary.
Bill attended Boston College, ultimately transferring, and graduating from the University of Connecticut with a history degree.
Bill enjoyed tending to his massive backyard garden with his daughter and later granddaughter, including expanding it multiple times, to where it took over a large portion of the yard. He liked spending time with friends at “Silver Sluggers” a local “senior” baseball fan group, or at Ansonia High School football games.
Most of all, he loved spending time with his beloved children and grandchildren from simple backyard BBQs to family vacations with 3 generations. Many cherished family memories were cemented in those times. Bill also loved dogs, especially his beloved family pets.
Bill was a huge sports fan. He especially liked the 5‑time World Series Champions, the St. Louis Cardinals and traveled with Mary to see them play in the final season of Busch Stadium. He also visited Ohio with his children to see the US Men’s National Soccer Team qualify for previous World Cups. Bill was a fan of the New York Rangers and their long-awaited Stanley Cup in 1994, and unfortunately, was a long-suffering New York Jets fan as well.
Bill was a faithful “Deadhead” who followed the Grateful Dead around the country since college, telling stories of the shows for years afterwards. Jerry Garcia’s passing may have been more devastating to him than we will ever know and in his opinion, they were just not the same anymore. Bill was also a very enthusiastic and skilled musician, playing multiple string instruments like the guitar, banjo, mandolin, and his favorite the bass.
With that acumen, Bill played in many bands throughout the years, most notably the Sofa Kings and St. James Gate, performing more often for love than money in local establishments. Bill was a Letter Carrier for the USPS in Ansonia, until his retirement.
After retirement, Bill worked with his son for a short time, and was also an usher for Quinnipiac University sports complex, able to enjoy QU basketball and hockey while getting paid for it. He loved manning behind the goal for QU hockey (the same place he would sit for New York Rangers games) to get a full view of the ice and was always an enthusiastic supporter of both the men’s and women’s teams.
Pancreatic cancer could only slow down Bill in the last couple months, as he stayed active doing all the above loved things as long as he could. He loved life, he loved his family, and he loved everything that came along with it.
The patriarch of a tight knit family, his loyalty and dedication forever reside in our hearts. His legacy, exemplified by his compassion and love, will continue to inspire, and guide us. As we continue to mourn his physical loss, we find solace in knowing his spirit lives on through his family.
To honor Bill, please consider donating blood as it saves lives.
In addition to his wife Mary, Bill is survived by his two children, Keira Gibson and her husband Jameson of Boston, MA, and Seth Gibson and his wife Rachel of Ansonia, grandchildren, Cole, and Kylie Gibson, and Madison Begin, and sister, Drucilla Gibson and her husband Tom Forland of Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family and pay their respects on Sunday September 8, 2024 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm in the chapel of SPINELLI-RICCIUTI FUNERAL HOME, 62 Beaver Street in Ansonia. On Monday morning, September 9, 2024, at 10:00 am, all are invited to the funeral home to attend a prayer service in celebration of Bill’s life with Deacon Michael Lynch officiating. Interment will immediately follow in Mount Saint Peter Cemetery in Derby. Contributions in Bill’s memory may be made directly to, The Lustgarden Foundation at: www.lustgarden.org. To sign Bill’s guestbook or share a memory, please visit, www.spinelliricciutifh.com.
