William 'Bill'

Gibson

Southbridge: William “Bill” Gibson passed away peacefully at the home of his daughter Susan McDowell on Sunday, Nov. 15th, after a long illness.

He was born on Jan. 20, 1942, in Southbridge, the son of the late William and Louise Gibson.

Bill leaves his daughter Laurie Johnson and her husband Paul of Spring Hill, FL, his daughter Susan McDowell and her life partner Gregory Grande of Woodstock CT, and his son Steven and his wife Kara of Nantucket, MA; his two stepchildren, Kerri Avanesian and her husband Rumi of Sturbridge, MA and Francis Trafecante of Milford; and his seven grandchildren Austin Avanesian, Erin McDowell, Brianna Krushefsky, Mckensie Avanesian, Aidan McDowell, Tyler Gibson, Christopher Trafficante and Michael Trafecante. He was fondly named Guppa by Austin, and it fit him well. He treasured his grandchildren and he was a fun loving Guppa who loved following their accomplishments and enjoyed every moment with them. He also leaves two siblings David Gibson and his wife Marilyn of Charlton, MA and Mary Roccisano and her husband Frank of Woodstock, CT. He was pre-deceased by the mother of his three children Kathleen Gibson and his late wife Jane (Laughnane) Gibson.

Bill was a humble man who accomplished a lot in his 84 years. He worked very hard to ensure his three children had the best start in life and even at the very end of his life despite his many accomplishments he would say his greatest pride was raising three happy, healthy, successful children. Bill served in the U.S. Air National Guard from 1962 to 1968.

Bill was a Master Electrician and started his career in 1965 as a lineman for New England Power, where he retired as a Management Supervisor after 31 years from National Grid. His work ethic was unmatchable. Bill or ‘Billy’ as his friends called him couldn’t retire for long… he soon became the electrical inspector for the town of Southbridge in 2002 retiring at age 82!!

Bill’s service to the community is what he will be most remembered by. He was a man with a huge heart, he loved Southbridge and was always willing to lend a hand whether it being installing lights at the High school football field (he wired four football fields - Southbridge, Sturbridge, Swansea and Algonquin). He served as a member of the Tantasqua Advisory Committee for the vocational electrical division. He was an active member of the Southbridge Lions Club for over 28 years and was recently honored with a special Lifetime member award. He assisted at all the character breakfasts that the Southbridge Lions run annually and all charitable events or causes.

Bill loved to golf and he was an active member of Cohasse Country Club for over 35 years. He loved golf and when he had to stop playing, he spent much of his time watching it on tv. He loved to go to the casino, in earlier days he loved Atlantic City trips, traveling and especially York Beach Maine which was his yearly vacation getaway for over fifty decades, he owned properties there for many years.

When his daughter and granddaughter finally became football fanatics he joined in and traveled to Coastal Carolina University to support it! When his grandson Austin went to Bryant, he was cheering the Bulldogs on fiercely and had a wardrobe for both of these grandchildren to support this fact.

If you met Bill, you remembered him. He was a man of great humor, he loved making friends and he was blessed with many great friends, MANY. If you were born and raised in Southbridge, you likely knew him. He epitomized the saying “you reap what you sow”. His friends would do anything for him whether it be cleaning his yard up, bringing him meals, snowplowing his yard and most importantly the DAILY check ins… he was a great friend and it was reciprocated. He was SO loved.

His children want to extend a special thank you to AJ and Judy Larochelle, Bob Jenkins and Paul and Dawn Hainsworth, and all the members of the Southbridge Lions Club for always looking out for their dad on a daily basis in his later years. They would also like to extend a special acknowledgment to a lovely woman Danielle Patel who was hired to “help out” but became a close friend and someone he adored as did his primary caregiver, his daughter Sue in his final months. His children also want to express their gratitude for the loving and compassionate care that Worcester VNA, especially Kerri and Day Kimball Hospice provided for their dad.

He was a man deeply rooted in his faith, a dedicated member of St Mary’s Parish for over 35 years. He will be deeply missed by all whose lives he touched.

His funeral will be held on Thursday, Nov. 19th, from the Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge, with a Mass at 11:00am in St. Mary’s Church of the St. John Paul II Parish, 263 Hamilton St., Southbridge. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Southbridge. Calling hours in the funeral home will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 18th, from 5:00 to 7:00pm.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the St. John Paul II Food Pantry, 279 Hamilton St., Southbridge, MA 01550.