Edward S. Gibbs Gibowicz

[ Originally published on: Friday, July 31, 2009 ]

SOUTH DEERFIELD -- Edward Sigmund Gibbs Gibowicz, 95, of 266 Conway Road, died Tuesday (7-28-09) at home.

He was born on Upper Road, West Deerfield, on the family farm, the son of Peter Gibowicz and Mary Markowski Gibowicz, both from Poland. He was educated in local schools in Deerfield.

Eddie married the former Roena M. Dwyer in Greenfield on June 24, 1939. They recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary at home.

Eddie began work at an early age, on a nearby farm. Always a lover of carpentry, he built a small shelter in the woods where he lived a short time beginning at age 16. He also worked at the GTD, the railroad in East Deerfield, and at Mount Hermon School. Eddie was able to buy his own dairy farm in 1948, which he worked with Roena and his children until 1967. He was a beloved employer of most of the teenagers around.

When the farm was sold in 1967, he went to work at UMass as a custodial engineer, until his retirement in December 1983. He worked until he was 70 because he was afraid he would be bored -- then felt there wasn't enough time to do everything!

Eddie was a special individual with a love and commitment to his land. He kept land up on the hill behind the farm, which he used as a private retreat. At age 60, he cut down trees which he had made into boards, and constructed his own cabin. This camp, with views and a pond, was the site for many family events. There he raised his garden, kept a horse or pony, and lived with the land. He raised pigeons, like his father had. There were fantails and the Belgian white racing homers that got a blue ribbon at the county fair. He loved to putter around there and rest in the sun.

Ed had an excellent memory -- he knew everything about animals and trees, even knowing the ear tag number of each of his cows. He will be remembered for his dry sense of humor and great storytelling. Many of his stories came from local history, family legends, and stories of bartending and bootlegging in the good old days.

A student of The Charles Atlas course, he exercised daily until recent years. He loved Indian motorcycles and owned three of them. He loved hats, pies and maple sugar. His favorite western was ''Riders of the Purple Sage,'' and he loved reading and watching all westerns. He enjoyed the music of John Denver, and of course, was a fan of John Wayne and Clint Eastwood.

Despite the long hours involved in farming, he made a tradition of taking the family for Sunday drives. There was Look Park, Forest Park, Mountain Park, Mt. Greylock -- and always just a ride to look at other cows and farms.

He was a member of the Greenfield Farmers Cooperative Exchange, the Northampton Auction Society, a former deputy tree warden in Deerfield, and the Retired State Workers Association for Massachusetts.

Eddie, or Pop to his daughters, was a man of great strengths, many talents, few words and much impact. He led a complete life. Pop, as you would say, ''You go ahead, I'll meet you there later.''

Besides his wife Roena, he leaves his daughter, Jane Elizabeth Gibbs of Turners Falls; his daughter, Judith A. Ruggles of South Deerfield; his daughter, Susan J. Dinan and her husband James of Greenfield. He is survived by two brothers: Stanley of Cape Canaveral, Fla., and Paul of Winchester, N.H. He is also survived by three sisters: Helen Ostrowski, Mary Sokoloski and Jeannette Leise of Greenfield, and many nieces and nephews. There are three granddaughters: Brenda Bialecki Burnham and her husband Ray, Deana Muzyka and Kevin, April Reipold and her husband Michael. He also leaves four great-grandchildren.

Eddie was predeceased by brothers: Joseph, Frank, John and Charles, and sisters, Blanche and Anna.

A service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. in Robbins Memorial Church in Greenfield. The Rev. Deborah Cory will officiate. Because Edward was an original attendee at the now gone Sacred heart Church, the eulogy will be given by Father Stan Aksamit, who will also perform the graveside commendation.

A calling hour will precede the funeral Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Kostanski Funeral Home, 220 Federal St., Greenfield.

Burial will be in Green River Cemetery in Greenfield.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice of Franklin County, 329 Conway St., Suite 2, Greenfield, MA 01301.

 

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