Obituary of G.T. Gibbons

Gregory Thaddeus "Doc" Gibbons, 82, of Cambridge died peacefully on Friday, June 12, 2009 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis surrounded by his family. He was born May 26, 1927 to Thomas and Helen Gibbons in St. Paul, MN. Doc graduated from Cretin High School and immediately joined the United States Navy. He met Shirlee Mae Tait while stationed at Great Lakes Naval Station in Illinois. He spent much of his time in the Navy decommissioning ships in the Philippines. After the war, Greg and Shirlee were married on June 12, 1948 in Northfield, IL. They remained in Illinois while Doc completed college and received his doctorate of Optometry from Northern Illinois College of Optometry. Upon completion of his studies, they moved to St. Paul and then to Cambridge, MN to set up Doc's Optometry practice. An avid sportsman, Doc spent much of his free time hunting and fishing. He enjoyed everything the seasons had to offer, from bass fishing on Lake Osakis to duck hunting in North Dakota and deer hunting in western Montana. He was very proud of a quote from his own father, Tommy Gibbons, "It is better to go hunting with your boy, than go hunting for him", and he took it to heart. Doc was also very proud of his own role in bringing Canadian geese back from the brink of extinction. One only has to look out on a local pond to see how successful that endeavor truly was. Doc was extremely active in many community and civic organizations during his lifetime including the President of the Minnesota State Board of Optometry, Minnesota State Hospital Association, four different Memorial hospital boards, Lion's Club President, Ducks Unlimited Treasurer and Super Duck Award Recipient, Cambridge Roundup Parade Chairman and many more. As a long time member of the Christ the King Catholic Church in Cambridge he was President of the Catholic Men's Group, Knights of Columbus Charter Member, Co-Chair of the New Horizons Campaign to build the new church, the Lil' Farm Board of Directors and was awarded the Diocese of Saint Cloud's Medal of Merit. Passing out over 3000 rosaries in the past few years, including sending many to soldiers in Iraq, Doc shared his faith to many, near and far. Even with all that Doc accomplished in his professional life, it was his family that brought him the most fulfillment. From family vacations in the Starcraft trailer, to weekend basketball trips, Sunday dinners, and hours long Christmas Celebrations, Doc knew how to make family time enjoyable. He kept as active in his grandchildren's lives as he did with his children: taking them hunting and fishing, watching them perform in plays, concerts and sports and going "running" with them. In a note from Doc's nephews they stated, "Doc has been instrumental and a father figure to all three of us when our fathers couldn't be because of death and/or illness. It was Doc made us who we are today. Doc carried on the Gibbons tradition of honesty and integrity." He was preceded in death by parents Thomas and Helen, daughter Molly, infant son Joseph and granddaughter Jenna, brothers Thomas, John, Richard, Mark, and Jerome. Doc is survived by wife of 61 years Shirlee of Cambridge, sons Gregory Jr. (Barbara) of Dillon, MT, Patricia Gibbons (Walter Menning) of Rochester, MN, Mark of Dillon, MT, Michael (Emilie) of Toulouse, France, Joseph (Paula Neu) of Cambridge, MN and Mary Opatz (Greg) of Cambridge, MN, 22 Grandchildren; Zane (Julie), Lacey, Army specialist Gregory, Max, Benjamin, Laura, Jennifer (Chris), Mark Jr., Kari, Marcee, Paul, Luke, John Mark (Corrie), Hannah, Naomi, Cecilia, Hilary (David), Kevin, Thomas, Tessa, Natalie, Jared and 4 great grandchildren, John, Jacob, Kathrynne, Kaleb, brother Peter (Mary Jo) and sisters Mary DeLuca and Veronica James, as well as many other relatives and friends.