GIBBS, JOSEPH WILLIAM - Joseph William "Willie" Gibbs peacefully at home, surrounded by family, August 8, 2014 at the age of 72. Beloved husband of 48 years to Doreen (Martin) and loving father of Gisele (Tim Sullivan) and Melanie (Russell Ward). Proud Pepere of Alexandra, Isabella, Claire, and Natalie. Born in Baie Ste. Anne, New Brunswick, he was the son of the late Wright and Imelda Gibbs. Fondly remembered by siblings Phyllis (Arsene Turbide), Dorita (Bill Rushworth), Astrid (Ken Wong), Mildred (Paul Bray), Julie Hatcher (Phil Ralston) and in-laws Rita Gibbs and Francoise Viger Gibbs. Predeceased by his siblings Lorraine (Derick Savoie), Walter, Fernand, and Lionel. Also survived by in-laws Joe and Cathy Martin, Ann Marie and Ron McCabe, Charlene and Bob Ashmore, and Allan Martin and Denise Yonkouski. Cherished uncle of many nieces and nephews. Willie lived life to the fullest by spending quality time with family and friends, engaging in a multitude of sports and activities, and relaxing at his cottage and on his boat in New Brunswick. He loved the annual Taynish Bridge Weekend with long-time Nova Scotia friends. He was also actively involved in his community of Pine Meadows and served on the Board of Directors for several years. Willie began his career as a social worker in the field of mental health. In 1966, he joined the Correctional Service of Canada as an institutional parole officer. He subsequently rose through the ranks and held such positions as Supervisor of Classification and Psychological Services, Assistant Warden and then Warden of Springhill Institution in Nova Scotia. He moved to the regional headquarters in Moncton as Director General of Corrections Operations and then Deputy Commissioner of the Atlantic Region. In 1993 he was appointed to Senior Deputy Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada and was transferred to Ottawa. In 1997, he was appointed Chairman of the National Parole Board, a position he held until his retirement from the public service in 2000. In the latter part of his career, he was the Chairman of the National Joint Committee of the Canadian Chiefs of Police and Senior Federal Correctional Officials, and International Vice-President of the Association of Paroling Authorities, International. After retiring, he penned a book entitled The Cons and the Pros, and was an active member of Canadian Criminal Justice Association serving as its president from 2003 to 2005. He was also a founding member of Smart Justice Network of Canada. With his passing, his family has lost a loving husband, a devoted father and grandfather. His many colleagues across the country have lost a mentor and good friend. The Canadian justice system has lost a true champion and Canada has lost a dedicated and caring public servant. Many thanks to those who went out of their way to send their thoughts, prayers and love to Willie and his family over the past months. The family also wishes to thank the staff at the Irving Greenberg Family Cancer Centre, Carefor and ParaMed, and especially his nurse Tasma and Dr. Katerina Spacek, for their expertise and compassion for Willie during his illness.
Friends may pay respects at the Garden Chapel of Tubman Funeral Homes 3440 Richmond Rd. (between Baseline Rd. and Bayshore Dr.) Nepean on Tuesday, August 12th, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. A Memorial Mass will be held at Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Church 44 Rothesay Dr. Kanata on Wednesday, August 13th at 11am. A memorial and interment of the ashes will be held next summer in New Brunswick. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Just.Equipping (www.justequipping.org) P.O. Box 2984, Gatineau, QC J8L 2X5, a non-profit organization developed by Willie’s dear friend Rev. Pierre Allard and his wife Judy, or the Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice Capital Campaign, www.hospicecareottawa.ca, c/o May Court Hospice, 114 Cameron Ave., Ottawa, K1S 0X1, or charity of your choice. Condolences, donations or tributes may be made at www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com.