May 18, 1922 - January 22, 2013
May 18, 1922 - January 22, 2013
Edwin T. Gibson, 90 years of age, a longtime Harborite and realtor, died on Tuesday, January 22, 2013, at Grays Harbor Community Hospital. He was born on May 18, 1922, in Utica, New York, to Anthony and Estelle (Mendelka) Gibson. When he was three months old he was baptized in a Catholic Church and for many years he served as an Altar Boy. He came from a Polish family where that was the only language they spoke. He learned English only after he started school.
He was raised in New York and attended schools in Utica and Niagara Falls. At the age of 17 he joined the National Guard. On February 21 he enlisted into the Army and entered into active duty on September 16, 1940. He was an Army Squad Leader and when he was the only survivor of his unit during one of the battles he was in, he met up with another Company and became a tank gunner. He served in the Rhineland, Ardenness, Central Europe and Northern France. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, the Distinguished Unit Badge, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He received the Purple Heart for being wounded in action in France on November 29, 1944. He was honorably discharged on September 24, 1945, as a Corporal with the 20th Armored Infantry Battalion at Camp Beale, California. Because Ed was unable to complete his senior year of high school, Niagara Falls High School recently issued him an honorary diploma.
Edwin was married to Loraine Hulet on October 10, 1945. They made their home in Copalis Beach where they owned and operated the Copalis Mercantile. In 1951, they moved to Aberdeen where Edwin sold real estate for over 40 years. During that time, they owned Gibson Realty where Loraine was the secretary. They, along with their daughters, owned and operated the Gift Haus in Aberdeen for many years.
Ed was a member of the Aberdeen Elks Lodge, the Aberdeen Kiwanis Club, the American Field Service; a founding member of the Aberdeen Active Club 2030; the Sunshine Kids and assisted with their annual Christmas tree lot; active with the Aberdeen Soap Box Derby, the National and State Association of Realtors and was instrumental with establishing multiple listings.
He enjoyed trout fishing in Canada and at Lake Quinault. Ed had a cabin built for the family at Lake Quinault, which they enjoyed for over 40 years. At heart he loved the outdoors. Retiring early, the couple traveled the United States and spent winters at Lake Havasu, Arizona.
He is survived by: two daughters, Janet Boora and her husband, Jim and Terri Cady and her husband, John, all of Aberdeen; his grandchildren, Janelle Embrey, Jim Boora, Janis Steele, Angela Thompson, Craig Cady and Chris Cady. and eleven greatgrandchildren. He loved his devoted dog, Peaches.
The family thanks Ed’s caregiver, Twila Lewis and Linda Teunisson who recently joined her, for bringing their love and caring spirits into Ed’s life.
The family requests donations be sent to the local P.A.W.S. or to the American Heart Association.
A graveside service with military honors will be held at 3:00 p.m., on Friday, February 1, 2013, at the Sunset Memorial Park in Hoquiam with Rev. Larry Dublanko and Rev. John Fischer officiating. A time of fellowship for the family and friends will follow at the Cornerstone Community Church, 2008 Sumner Avenue in Aberdeen.
Direction is by the Coleman Mortuary, 422 – 5th Street in Hoquiam.
Please take a few moments to record your thoughts for the family by signing the online guest register at www.colemanmortuary.net.
