David E. Gibson

MONTPELIER - David Earl Gibson, 82, of Elm Street passed away on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at his home surrounded by his family.

Born on May 24, 1941, in Barre city, he was the son of the late Earl Richard and Natalina (Tomasini) Gibson. David grew up in Ossola Place, in the city of Barre where he loved to play baseball. He would often tell stories of times spent playing ball with his brothers and his friends in the north end neighborhood where he grew up. He was proud of his Italian heritage and spent hours explaining to his daughters and later his grandchildren how life was growing up Italian in the granite city. As a young student, when he wasn’t playing baseball, you would find David working a variety of jobs throughout his high school years. He would go on to graduate from Spaulding High School and enroll at Johnson State College.

While attending Johnson State College, David pursued a degree in Education, continued to excel on the ballfield and was even given an opportunity to play professional baseball. He met the love of his life during that time, and he turned down the opportunity to play Major League Baseball in order to start a family and his teaching career.

On June 27, 1964, David married his best friend, and love of his life, Betty Lou Libby. They built their lives together in Montpelier, raising two young women and had many happy years together.  David taught 6th grade for 34 years in the Montpelier School system until his retirement. He was inducted into the Johnson Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005 alongside his wife.

David enjoyed spending his free time playing golf with his wife Betty, spending time with friends at the Montpelier Elks Club or the Mutuo in Barre, and watching his favorite sports teams compete on television including the New York Giants and the Boston Red Sox. Nothing brought him more joy than watching his grandchildren compete in sports and succeed in the classroom.

Survivors include his daughters Stacy Grandfield and her husband, Stuart of Duxbury and Christine Gibson-Davis of Montpelier; his grandchildren Michael, Samuel and Katie; and his brother Richard Gibson and his wife, Wendy of Williston as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife Betty, his brother Michael Gibson, and his son-in-law Brian Davis.

David will be laid to rest in a private burial service in Hope Cemetery in Barre. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre, VT 05641, or to the Montpelier Ambulance Service, 16 Main Street, Montpelier, VT 05602.