Joseph Larive Gibbons

Joseph Larive Gibbons, 82, of Fort Gratiot, died Saturday, December 31, 2016, surrounded by his children and friends, after a long illness.

He was born September 18, 1934, in Highland Park, to the late Joseph Byron and Lois Gibbons. He married Janice Elaine Molinaro in September of 1962, and they raised four children, who survive him.

Joseph attended schools in Highland Park and graduated from Yale High School in 1953 before moving to the family farm in Blaine.

He served one tour of duty in the U.S. Army. Upon returning to civilian life, he attended Port Huron Junior College, Central Michigan University and the Michigan State Police Academy, before becoming a Detroit Police officer.

He moved to U.S. Customs, working in Detroit, before transferring to the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron, from where he retired after 34 years.

Mr. Gibbons was a long time member of St. Edward on-the-Lake Catholic Church in Lakeport. He enjoyed many things, including music, movies and mushroom hunting. But most of all he enjoyed people to smile at and laugh with. He will be greatly missed by many.

He is survived by his four children, Joseph (Debra) Gibbons of Blaine, Mary Kathleen Gibbons of Port Huron, Christine (Brian) Bruxvoort of Ypsilanti, and Michael Louis Gibbons of Lansing; his sister, Mary Faith Lemersal of Clawson; six grandchildren, Emily, Elizabeth, Janice, Benjamin, Ursula and Donovan; dear cousins, Carol (Bill) Benn, Lillian Toor; sister-in-law Wilma Gibbons; and many who loved him. He was preceded in death by his wife, Janice; his parents; two sisters, Joanne and Sally; and two brothers Richard and Reginald.

Visitation will be 2-9 p.m. Tuesday in the Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home. A Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home.

Mr. Gibbons will lie in state at St. Edward on-the-Lake Catholic Church from 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 4, 2017 until the Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. The Reverend Lee Acervo and The Reverend Brian K. Cokonougher will officiate.

The Rite of Committal will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery.

Memorials can made to St. Edward on-the-Lake Catholic Church, the Nature Conservancy of Michigan or Sanctuary at Mercy Village.