John R. Gibbons

John R. Gibbons, 74, of Camillus, beloved husband, father, grandfather and teacher, went to join the Lord, his parents and grandson, JJ Gibbons in heaven on Friday, August 15, 2008. John was born on Sunday, July 22, 1934, son of John and Helen Gibbons. He was a graduate of Camillus High School and SUNY Cortland. He taught physical education at Wayne Central in 1957. He spent the next two years in Italy while serving in the U.S. Army. He returned, married Betty Rickey and resumed his career in Chittenango, the Jewish Community Center, then settled in the West Genesee School District where he taught and coached for 32 years. He was a volunteer for the American Red Cross, teaching water safety classes for 50 years. He spent six summers as the Trout Ponds waterfront director at Sabattis Boy Scout Camp and many years running the Learn-to-Swim Program for the Town of Camillus. John was a member of the Friends of the Octagon House and in 2004 he and Betty were named Co-citizens of the Year by the Camillus Chamber of Commerce for their volunteer work. He was a communicant of Holy Family Church. Surviving are his devoted wife of 49 years, Elizabeth Betty Gibbons; daughters and sons-in-law, Mary and David Raymond of Fulton, Diane and Michael Deveney of Irondequoit and Janet and Christopher Smyth of Syracuse; sons and daughter-in-law, Jack Gibbons of Camillus and Jim and Marie Gibbons of North Syracuse; grandchildren, Benjamin and Nathan Raymond, Bridget and Timothy Deveney and Shay Smyth; brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Sharon Gibbons of Marcellus; sisters and brother-in-law, Susan Gibbons of Liverpool and Anne and Robert Knapp of Camillus; as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind dozens of gymnasts and hundreds of swimmers, lifeguards and water safety instructors. The family thanks the wonderful staffs on the 8th floor of the VA Hospital in Syracuse and 2 South in the Heritage Health Care Center in Utica for their loving care. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, August 20, 2008 in Holy Family Church where a funeral Mass will be celebrated by Rev. Richard P. Prior Jr. and Deacon Nick Alvaro. Friends may call Tuesday, August 19, 2008 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Warners. Contributions may be made to the West Genesee Athletic Fund, c/o West Genesee Central School District Athletic Office, 5203 W. Genesee St., Camillus, NY 13031 or to Holy Family Church, 127 Chapel Dr., Syracuse, NY 13219.