William H. Gibbons of Manchester, New Hampshire June 18, 1923 - September 15, 2022
William H. Gibbons, 99, of Manchester, NH died at home September 15, 2022.
Bill, “Gibby”, William H., Dad, or Packy - no matter what we called him, he was deeply cherished by all who knew him.
Bill was born June 18, 1923, and raised in Milford, NH, by the late John J. and Louise (Dummett) Gibbons. He was the apple of his mother’s eye, much to the loving chagrin of his five siblings, Eileen Ricard, John H. Gibbons, Barbara Jackson, Margaret Gibbons and Rose Kearns, who all preceded him in death. He was devoted to his family and always offered loving help and a generosity of spirit to all he met.
At the young age of 18, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He attended New England College for a few years then re-enlisted and served as a Helicopter Crew Chief. He ultimately retired as a decorated Master Gunnery Sergeant who served during WWII in the Pacific, the Korean War, and Vietnam, where he also volunteered with a monastery building a school and orphanage in Huế. Bill was proud to serve as a Marine for more than 30 years, later working as a Master Electrician and maintaining his license into his nineties. He also won the President’s Award for Distinguished Government Service while working at the VA Hospital in Manchester.
Always an adventurer, Bill enjoyed fishing, scuba diving and working with all things mechanical. The biggest adventure of his life, though, was marrying his late sweetheart, Harriett “Hap” Quinn on April 12, 1958. They shared a beautiful life together and had one daughter, Kateri, who was born at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. He missed Harriett every day since her passing in 2015, at the age of 96 from Alzheimer’s. They resided in Manchester for the past 50 years where they had great times with family and friends.
Bill died as he lived, with bravery and grace. He was grateful to pass away at home with his daughter and son-in-law, Kateri and Bobby Champagne, by his side. He will forever be in the hearts of Bobby, Kateri, his granddaughter, Darcie Champagne, her husband, Jonathan Saulmon, and great-grandchildren, Winslow “Winnie” and Hugo Saulmon. Bill also leaves behind many other treasured family members. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, his wife and her siblings, two granddaughters, Elaine and Lucille Champagne and great-granddaughter, Mathilda “Tillie” Hap Saulmon.
Services: Calling hours are Monday, September 19, 2022, from 4 to 6 PM at Connor-Healy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 537 Union Street, Manchester, NH.
The funeral will be held Tuesday, September 20, 2022, with a mass of Christian burial to be celebrated at 10 AM in St. Peter Church, 567 Manchester Rd, Auburn, NH.
Private burial with military honors will take place in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Wilton, NH, at a later date.
Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Boston Children’s Hospital, 401 Park Drive Suite 602, Boston, MA 02215-5301; Liberty House, 221 Orange St, Manchester, NH 03104; or Blue Ocean Society, Carey Cottage, Creek Farm, 400 Little Harbor Rd, Portsmouth, NH 03801.
For more information visit: www.connorhealy.com.