Always an early riser, Frank Westby Gibson, Jr. greeted the world with enthusiastic curiosity, a wide smile and a hearty handshake. “Gib” throughout his 89 years, had an uncanny sense of finding a joint interest easily making and keeping lifelong friends.
 
Born April 21, 1927, in Newark, New Jersey, and raised in West Orange, Frank was the son of the late Frank Westby Gibson and Dorothy (Duncan) Gibson.  He attended Brookside School and graduated from Newark Academy in 1944.  He entered Yale College in July 1944, entered the Navy in 1945, graduating boot camp the week just before Japan surrendered.    He served two years as a pharmacist’s mate in Jacksonville, FL.   There he served with honor and a prank or two before returning to Yale.   In his years at Yale, he “was a sparkplug” for his beloved Class of 1949, and was involved with the class and university for the next 67 years.  He was Class Secretary until earlier this year.  He was on the 1949 Class Council,  and served on the Board of Governors of the Association of Yale Alumni. In 2008, he revived Yale’s “Long Cheer” instructing Provost (now President) Peter Salovey on its intricacies.
 
He was a frequent interviewer for Cape Cod applicants to Yale, always on the lookout for excellent students and good football players, and sponsored the Yale Book Award at Barnstable, Dennis-Yarmouth and Falmouth high schools.
 
He earned his private pilot's license, including seaplanes, in 1951, and later his instructor and commercial licenses. He flew solo cross country in 1953 as part of the Jaycee Air Cruise. 
 
In 1954 he met Diane Roberts; their first-date was Frank taking her for an airplane ride.  They married in 1955, raised twins Nancy and Duncan in Milllington, NJ, sailed, renovated houses  and traveled the world together for over 61 years.
 
He began his business career at Royal Globe Insurance, soon switching to the advertising business, working in New York City for Time-Life , Davis, Parsons and Strohmeir, and Ziff-Davis, including Flying Magazine. Always involved in his community of Millington, Frank was town committee member for Passaic Township in New Jersey from 1969 to 1974 and served as mayor in 1971 and 1972.  He created and appointed the first municipal conservation commission in New Jersey and remained active in preserving open space in Barnstable and Cape Cod, including his own property in Cummaquid.  
 
In 1973 he made a bold move to Cape Cod, embarking on a newspaper career with The Register, Barnstable Patriot, The Cape Cod Journal and others. As a staff member and freelance writer he contributed editorials, photographs, cartoons (“Giblets”), an aviation column “119.5” and for many years enjoyed writing theater reviews for plays all over Cape Cod.  He especially championed youth actors from Barnstable and Dennis-Yarmouth high schools. He rarely missed the Barnstable-Falmouth Thanksgiving football game.
 
In Barnstable, he continued civic service as a member of several town committees and served on the board of the Barnstable Land Trust and enjoyed being an active member of the Yarmouth Rotary Club, Bass River Yacht Club and St. David's Episcopal Church.
 
 
He loved flying, sailing, travel. He worked with his hands and his mind, always with numerous projects in various states of completion. He enjoyed having a dog at his side or a cat on his lap. 
 
On November 6, 2016 he died peacefully with his family at his side, listening to "When All The Saints Come Marching In" as he requested. He leaves behind his wife, Diane R. Gibson, son Duncan and his partner Morgan Borer, daughter, Nancy and her husband, Scott Nash, brother-in-law, Duncan Roberts and Frank’s beloved adopted dog, Jackie. He is also survived by his three nephews, Larry, Doug and David Roberts, their families and several cousins.
 
The family thanks the staff, nurses and aides at Liberty Commons, Hope Hospice, and Cape Cod Hospital, his visiting physical therapists and his home health aides for their care and kindness over the past several months.
 
A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, Nov. 18th at 11:00 am at  St. David's Episcopal Church. All are welcome. Following an interment of his ashes in the church memorial garden there will be a gathering in Nelson Hall.
 
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to St. David's Memorial Fund, 205 Old Main St, South Yarmouth, MA 02664, or the Barnstable Land Trust, PO Box 224, Cotuit MA 02635 or Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, c/o Mass Audubon, 208  S. Great Rd., Lincoln, MA 01773. 
 
"Fair winds and following seas." C.A.V.U. (Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited).



 

Diane, Duncan, Nancy and Scott, My sincere sympathy to you with the passing of one great guy, Frank. Although I haven't been in contact with you, other than Christmas, I have many fond memories of visits with you when Donald was alive -- also many phone conversations (Frank and Donald). Frank was always so energetic, funny, fun to be with and made every visit to the Cape memorable. It is interesting that Donald died on the same day, Nov. 6 2006 -ten years ago. My heart goes out to you Diane. . . Looking forward to visiting with you at Frank's service. Love, Elizabeth

Dear Diane -- So very sorry to hear about Frank's death. We have moved off Cape but a friend alerted me to this sad news. Both Legare and I were fond of him -- he was a good guy, always cheerful. Our very best to you. Stay well. Best wishes, Margery

I will definitely miss our visits. Right up until our last one, you always managed to put a smile on my face. Rest in eternal peace my friend.

It was December 13, 2003 a clear but chilly day on the Cape. Frank and Diane got into my Piper Warrior. We flew to Chatham. Frank convinced me going flying was the appropriate way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the day the Wright Brothers made their first flight. “Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings…” RIP.