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 James F. Gibbons
April 01, 2002
James F. Gibbons, 77, of 39 Joan Drive, a longtime school administrator and educator, died Monday morning at his daughter's home in Wayland.
Born in Clinton on April 25, 1924, son of James F. Gibbons Sr. and Mary Hastings Gibbons, he was educated in schools there and was a graduate of Fitchburg State College. He earned his master's degree in school administration in 1950 from Columbia University in New York.
A Coast Guard veteran of World War II, he served aboard a sub chaser that escorted freighter convoys in the North Atlantic.
He came to Pittsfield in 1950 and taught vocational education at Pittsfield High School. Three years later, he became head of the industrial arts program at the former South Junior High School, where he served until his appointment as vice principal. In 1973, he was named to serve as acting principal at Taconic High School. Shortly after, he directed the vocational and technical education for the city of Pittsfield. Additionally, he expanded the full-time cooperative education program and initiated the career exploration program. He retired in 1985 with more than 35 years of service.
After his retirement, he obtained his Realtor's license and was a rehabilitation specialist for the town of Adams for three years. He also taught woodworking for the past several years at the Ralph J. Froio Senior Center.
A communicant of Sacred Heart Church, Mr. Gibbons was a former member of the parish council and served with many of the Catholic Stewardship drives. A member of the Serra International, he had served as president for two years in the early 1970s.
He was the recipient of an award for his dedication, service and leadership with the School Department and also received a certificate of appreciation from the Pittsfield Teachers' Credit Union for his years as a director. He served as president of the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators and was chosen as Administrator of the Year in 1983 by the Parents for Pittsfield Schools organization.
He leaves his wife, the former Josephine Nugent, whom he married Aug. 25, 1956; two sons, James M. Gibbons of Burlington, Vt., and Joseph N. Gibbons of Wayland; a daughter, Mary Sue Terranova of Wayland; a brother, John A. Gibbons of Danvers; a sister, Mary T. Gibbons of Clinton; and five grandchildren.
Calling hours will be Wednesday from 4 to 7 at the DEVANNY-CONDRON FUNERAL HOME. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 9:15 from the Devanny-Condron Funeral Home, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 at Sacred Heart Church. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, if friends desire, memorial donations may be made to the James F. Gibbons Memorial Scholarship for Vocational Education in care of the funeral home.
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