GREEN ISLAND – Herbert R. Gibson, 64, of Green Island, died peacefully at Albany Medical Center on December 7. He was born in Oneonta, the son of the late Herbert A. and Grace Paris Gibson. He graduated from Delhi Tech and the University of Georgia, and was employed by the NYS Health Department, working first as a food service inspector and then on computer programs tracking lead poisoning. Diagnosed with juvenile diabetes as a small child, Herb faced many serious health challenges throughout his life. The family extends appreciation to the many medical professionals who supported him.
Herb was active for many years in various committees and ministry teams at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Green Island, NY, Hope United Methodist Church in Eagle Mills, NY, and Pawling Avenue United Methodist Church in Troy, NY. His musical talent and wonderful voice added to the music ministries of the church choirs and a worship band. He was much loved by his church families. His perseverance and positive attitude despite his health challenges were an inspiration to those who knew him.
Herb’s beloved children survive him: his son Kyle (partner Kristy Coluccio) and grandson Cooper of Troy; and his daughter Chantel (fiance Dannon Allbee) of Seattle. Also surviving are six sisters and their families: Lucille Davis, Jane Cleverley, Marjorie Sundfors, Arlene Leitzke, Helen Gibson, and Carol Alm; his best friend Melanie Tuxbury; and sustaining friends who enabled him to live independently.
A memorial service conducted by Pastor Dave Martin will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 11, at Hope United Methodist Church, 566 Brunswick Road, Troy, NY 12180 (village of Eagle Mills). Friends may call before the service beginning at 5:00 p.m. Memorial gifts may be directed to any of Herb’s churches or a charitable organization of your choosing. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
Cheri Hannan
My sympathy to Herb’s family and friends: I know you are sad but Herb – oh he is walking, pain free, seeing everything and full of joy!
Milton & Sonja Gaddy
To Kyle & Chantel – My prayers go out to you and your family at this time. I did not know your dad, but always heard good things about him! Peace & blessings, The Gaddy family.
Roger France
Helen and the rest of Herb’s family – my condolences.
I was surprised and very pleased to discover my old friend from school, church choirs and boy scouts was working at the health department when I transferred back home to Oneonta in 1975. Herb had an indomitable spirit that lifted everyone around him. He stubbornly refused to let his disease keep him from doing whatever he wanted to do, sometimes at great expense. He often neglected to take care of himself during scout outings as he enthusiastically led the fun. Two of my most sharp memories of childhood are winning the winter scouting Klondike Derby despite being the smallest troop around (Herb was the troop leader at the time), and having to carry him down Franklin Mountain in the middle of the night on a makeshift stretcher, during a midwinter campout, because of diabetic-induced cramps. Herb was joking the whole way down.
If I had an email for you, I have a couple of photos I could forward of Herb and I the day we received our “God and Country” scouting awards (proof that we were both angelic acolites !). Herb was the tall handsome one, I’m was the nerd. Also I have a picture of the campout I mentioned. Herb’s not in it, but you could see what the mountain site looked like.
May he rest in peace.
Roger France