"Charlie was a gentleman and all around good guy. I have many fond memories of him playing in the RIGA weekly tournaments as well as the state senior tournaments. Both my Dad and I always enjoyed seeing Charlie, one of the many good guys from Green Valley. Sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to the family. - Joe Sprague, Jr."
In loving memory of
Charles E. Gibbons
August 31, 1934 - September 23, 2018
Mr. Charles Gibbons, age 84, of Portsmouth, RI, passed away unexpectedly on September 23, 2018 at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, MA.
Charles was born in Newport, RI to the late Ernest Gibbons and Theodora (Addison) Gibbons. He grew up in Newport and graduated from Rogers High School in 1952. It was during his high school years he flourished as a student athlete. He served as football team captain for 2 years, track team captain, and was awarded all state football in 1951 and All Class A for Discus on the track team.
Charlies athletic career continued at the University of Rhode Island. He was selected as football team captain at URI as well, and earned All Big East in 1953 and Little All American honors in 1955. He was then fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to play professional football, and success followed him to this level, he played for the Montreal Alouettes in the 1956 Gray Cup, the National Championship of the Canadian Football League. Charlie also played for the Providence Steamrollers semi-pro football team.
In 1957 Charles joined the US Army and served in the Fourth Armored Division, Delta Company. He also played football in the Army, in 1957 on the Ft. Hood team and in 1958 on the Ulm Hawks in Ulm, Germany as the youngest player/coach.
After his military service, he joined his alma mater Rogers as the offensive line coach in 1960, and began a long and successful coaching career with Rogers Football and Track. In football, Charlie was a part of a staff that dominated the RI football scene for well over 3 decades including 7 State championships . Many of his players going to to successful college careers. Charlie also coached for several years at Brown University and the Naval Prep School. Under his direction, the Rogers HS track teams achieved great success winning 5 Indoor Track and 4 Outdoor Track RI State championships as well as a NE Championship. Over the 30 years as a coach and teacher, he has been selected by 9 different organizations Hall of Fame committees (The City of Newport Sports, Rogers HS, URI, Providence Gridiron club, RI HS Football Coaches Assoc. , RI Track Coaches Assoc., RI Football Foundation, RI Interscholastic League)for his character, ability and achievements. He is also selected as a member of URI Grand Team one of their top 50 players of their first 100 years.
He retired in 1990 after 35 years of teaching, and spent several more years competing on the golf course at Green Valley CC in Portsmouth. He soon won at golf, and was the 2000 RI Super Senior Champion of the RIGA.
An active community member Charlie served on the Board of Directors for the Providence Gridiron Club, Long Wharf Association, and Green Valley Country Club.
Charles is survived by his two sons, Charles Gibbons II (wife Denise Gibbons)of Belfair, WA, Michael Gibbons (wife Christina Gibbons) of Rumford, RI, and his three grandchildren, Tisha Wosencroft, Jacob Gibbons, and Jared Gibbons, as well as two brothers Ernest Gibbons and Theodore Gibbons. Charlie is also survived by many nieces and nephews of whom he was extremely proud. He will also be dearly missed by his companion Diana Dinsmore of Portsmouth.
He was preceded in death by his wife Gloria Gibbons and a sister Joyce Johnson.
Visiting hours will be held Sunday, September, 30, 2018 from 10am -2PM at Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport.
Funeral services will be Monday, October 1, at 11:00 AM in the Memorial Funeral Home.
Memorial donations may be made to the Providence GridIron Club, 12 Chandler Dr, Coventry RI, 02816 in his Memory.
Tributes
"Deborah Ebbitt My condolences to Ted and the Gibbons Family. Charlie has left his imprint on so may students and athletes from Rogers High School. His spirit will live on in all of the students he took under his wings. We are forever grateful for the passion and compassion he shared with his students, athletes and fellow educators."
"Our deepest sympathy to your family during this difficult time. The Walker Family."
"Just by the way he carried himself, anyone could see that Charlie was a guy that knew what he was doing and that he was good at it. The accolades from his former students and players are testament to the impact he had on their lives. He was equally admired by those of us who were his fellow teachers at Rogers. My sincere condolences to Charlies family. (Michael, when you were my student, I was struck by how much you were like your dad -- best compliment I can give you.)"
"Ted Gibbons & Family of Charles Gibbons: Our deepest sympathy to all of you. We are unable to give our condolences in person but our prayers are with all of you! God bless you all, Rose & Annette"
"Gibbons Family,Very sorry to mean of Mr. Gibbons passing. He was a larger than life figure at Rogers. His own athletic experiences, combined with his teaching/coaching excellence, made a powerful combination. He always made you think about what it took to get the job done, and gave you the opportunity to do so. Mr. Gibbons always expected the best from you, whether you knew it or not, his belief was unwavering. I will never forget all the time and guidance he gave me."
"ERNEST,TED AND ALL THE FAMILY, CONDOLENCES FROM A FELLOW FROM THE LIBRARY LECTURE SERIES ON THE DEATH OF CHARLIE, ANOTHER GREAT GIBBONS. MAY GOD HOLD HIM AND ALL OF YOU IN THE HALLOW OF HIS HAND."
"My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this very difficult time."
"A Bulb Pan Spathiphyllum was sent by East Providence Jr Townies on September 28, 2018"
"Dear family, In this time of sorrow, my condolences are with you. And may these beautiful words from the Scriptures help you to endure, for Jehovah is the God of all comfort. Do not be anxious.....but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God; and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus. Isaiah 26:4; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Philippians 4:6-7 NWT. Peace and many happy memories of Mr. Gibbons be with you."
"A Spathiphyllum was sent on September 27, 2018Thank you for all your support over my years at Rogers High School. Mr. Gibbons was the best mentor and coach that any person could be lucky enough to have have in their lives. My condolences for your loss and god bless."
"Mr. Gibbons was my Indoor and Outdoor track coach at Rogers and he earned my trust and greatest respect as he worked us hard and developed us into athletes. For this I am most grateful. He was a pillar in the community and improved the lives of many. May we all aspire to contribute to others to the extent that Charlie did."
"Mike and Christina, what an incredible man he was. He had an amazing life and was loved and respected by many. Saddened by your loss. Condolences to the entire family and friends of Mr. Gibbons."
"A Shades of Yellows Traditional Basket was sent on September 27, 2018Our deepest sympathies during your time of loss. You are in our thoughts. -Newport Festivals Family "
"Charlie was always a good friend , from my early Park Holm years, to when he became a neighbor on Bradford Ave.Good man, person, and teacher. Charlie's lost sister felt by many"
"Charlie was one of the most respected coaches in R.I. track and field. I began my coaching career in the seventies and learned so much from watching his athletes compete and excel. I worked closely with him while serving on the R.I. Track Coaches Association Board with him. He was a gentleman and a legend. Charlie was inducted into the RITCA Hall of Fame for his outstanding coaching career. My condolences to the family especially Mike who is carrying on in his fathers shoes as a coach."
"Mr. Gibbons was a wonderful man. He will surely be missed."
"My sincerest condolences to the entire family during this time of bereavement. I met Mr Gibbons a few times during his visits to watchJacob and Jared's football games. What an amazing man who dedicated his life to working with others in various capacities in the community, and he was beyond a model citizen, serving his nation in the military, as a Coach, Educator and Captain on various teams he participated on. Rest in Paradise Sir.SteveClark and Family!"
"My thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Gibbons' family. He made a difference in a lot of people's lives."
"We are deeply saddened by your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May the peace that comes from the memories of love shared, comfort you now and in the days ahead.Tony de Simas & Family and the EPJRT Family,"
"My sincere condolences to Charlies family and especially to his love, Diana. Im sure he and Gordon will be playing some great golf together..."
"Charlie was my teammate at URI in the 50s. He was a great friend and teammate who deserved all the accolades he received. My sincere condolences."
"Sincerely sad to lose you Charlie. It was a pleasure to know you and to be part of the extended Gibbons family. Rest in peace."
"My condolences to the entire family. Many memories of Mr. Gibbons growing up."
"Me Gibbons was a mentor, a motivator and a coach who used the power of positivity, balanced with thoughtful insight and challenging life lessons to move athletes to a level they had hidden within themselves.I will forever be grateful for his time, energy and sage advice that changed my life and set me on a path toward the achievement of goals that were seen as impossible before he came into my life. My prayers are with Charlies family during this time of loss.May our personal memories of Coach Gibbons kept him forever alive in our hearts."