Glenn Wesley Gibbons

KITTERY – Glenn Wesley Gibbons of Kittery, passed away on March 3, 2021 in Portsmouth, N.H. He was born on July 7, 1921 in Winchester Mass., the son of Walter S. Gibbons and Madelene Hobson Gibbons.

Having learned to fly airplanes before graduating from Boston English High School, “Gib” joined the Army Air Corps in 1939. He served in the Panama Canal Zone and the South Pacific. In the final years of WWII, Glenn served in the Air Transport Command, participating in several campaigns, including Ryukyus, New Guinea and Luzon.

In 1943 Glenn married Norma Waitt and they had four children. As a civilian, Glenn continued to work in aviation, days at Grumman Aircraft and nights at Roosevelt Raceway. He subsequently moved full time into the harness horse racing business and served as race secretary and general manager at several of the leading racetracks in New York, New England, and Canada.

In 1968 he married Shirley Smith. They were together for 50 years until her death in 2018. They managed the operations of several small airports, including flight schools, air charter and car rental businesses in northern New York. At the age of 65, Glenn became a Federal Aviation Administration Flight Inspector at the Portland, Maine Jetport. He received “Field Inspector of the Year” as well as several other meritorious awards for his work. He retired from the FAA at the age of 82 and moved to Florida where he continued to fly his ultralight. At the age of 98 Glenn published his memoirs and several short stories.

Glenn loved adventure and always welcomed new challenges. As a WWII Veteran he was intensely proud to have served his country. A flag always flew over his home, and, in his last years, a flag could be seen securely attached to his wheelchair or scooter wherever he went.

He is survived by children Jill Tyler of Providence R.I., Nikki McCune of Augusta Mont., and Brian Gibbons of Alfred, his stepdaughters Jonnie Smith, and Christine Manfredi; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

His daughter, Mollie Gibbons passed away on May 1, 2022.