Donald M Gibson, Sr. -- North Kingstown

Donald M. Gibson, 88 of North Kingstown died Friday December 12, 2008 at Scalabrini Villa Nursing Center, North Kingstown. He was the husband of the late Jean ( Ahles ) Gibson

Born in Cresson, PA, a son of the late Jasper J. and Blanche (Mott) Gibson. Mr. Gibson began his career in 1940 with the Pennsylvania Railroad. He enlisted in 1942 in the Marine Corp during WWII and served as an Aviator. He was a fighter pilot serving with Pappy Boyington before he was assigned to a B-26, VMJ-2 Bomber squadron as a pilot and Commanding Officer on the Island of Guam where he flew high priority missions in the Pacific. After leaving the Marine Corp in 1949 he returned to the railroad as a police sergeant in Altoona, PA. He was transferred in 1959 to the New York Division as a lieutenant and five years later appointed Captain assigned to Philadelphia. He was appointed to the rank of Inspector of the New York Division and was named Superintendent of Police in 1970 in conjunction with a helicopter patrol program launched by the Pen Central in the New York Metropolitan Region to combat the growing vandalism problems. He served as Superintendent when Penn Central merged with ConRail and then joined Amtrak retiring in 1983. Mr. Gibson had been a member of the Bucks County Police Chiefs Association, the Southeastern Police Chiefs Association and the Security Officers Association. He was a master marksman rated by the National Rifle Association and had received numerous awards for his marksmanship.

He is survived by his son, Donald M. Gibson, Jr. of Exeter, six grandchildren and one great grandchild. He was the father of the late Sharon Compagnone.

Friends may call at Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home, 659 East Greenwich Ave. West Warwick Monday from 4 to 8 PM. Burial with full military honors at RI Veterans Cemetery will be private.

Should friends desire contributions to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, 200 Niantic Avenue Providence, Rhode Island 02907 will be appreciated.

Information and condolences at www.carpenterjenks.com.

Reported: 12/13/08 (Show all obituaries for this day)

By: Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home and White Dove Crematory (Show all obituaries and information about this funeral home)

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