Raymond Gibbs (25 Jun 1951 - 29 Dec 2020)
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In loving memory of Raymond Gibbs who sadly passed away on 29th December 2020
Raymond’s life
Born in 25th June 1951 in Evelynn close in the village of Wing. He grew up in Wing with 3 brothers Alan, Bernard and Les and a sister Carol. He was the son to Ernest and Doris Gibbs. Ray was a family man, who always like to keep in contact even when he moved away to Bournemouth. Ray was very of his parents and every year Ray would take his dad to the cenotaph on Remembrance Day. Where his dad would take part in the parade. He was very honoured to this for his dad. Growing up in Wing Ray was very happy around the country life. He lived among many famous people. Such as Bruce Forsyth and Jimmy Tarbuck and even dated Linda Bellingham (The Oxo Lady). He loved to play darts in the local pub with his friends and over the years collected many trophies.
In 1977 he met Lillian
A friend called Wendy Chandler (who worked alongside Ray at Camden Motors Leighton Buzzard Bedfordshire) introduced Lilian to Ray in one of the local pubs. Their first date they met outside a grocery store on the high street, and he was wearing denim jeans with a big patch, Lillian wasn’t too impressed. Since then, he has impressed her with his gentle nature and the way he spoke so softly to her. Their First date was to the pictures to see Sweeny one and in 1983 they married and have been happily married for 37 years. Ray was the father to 4 children, 5 grandchildren. Who loved very much and spent much of his life caring for them.
His work life
Ray worked for Camden Motors for 23 years where he was trained up as a finance manager, through this job he had the honour of driving many fancy cars and meeting many famous faces which includes Stirling Moss at one of the motor shows. Ray was made redundant and moved to Bournemouth at the prospects of improving his wife’s asthma with the fresh sea air. He loved to be by the seaside. In 1988 Ray and Lillian moved to Bournemouth, by the seaside, and got a job as a post master for the Royal mail. He did this job for 20 years and loved doing this job as it meant he could meet people and, wherever he could, he would go the extra mile to help his community. In 2005 he had his first heart attack which unfortunately forced him to retire. He received a long service award. In 2013 Ray and Lillian moved to Nottingham to be closer to his newly born grandchildren Abigail and Lily. He spent his last remaining years supporting his family and enjoying life with his grandchildren. He did the school runs for Katie sometimes where he would get all the attention from the mums at the school because of his kind and gentle nature. One dear friend used to call him ‘the mucky man’ this was because he was always wearing his West Ham football shirt and she was a Manchester United fan.
Hobbies
Ray loved music and his favourites were Queen and Cat Stevens. He would often listen to these around the house and made us laugh with his musical imitations of Freddie Mercury. He started to play the electric guitar that his children bought him for his birthday. He would often sit there twiddling his plectrum and fiddling on the guitar, to the dismay of Lillian as she was trying to watch TV. Ray was big supporter of the Hammers (West Ham United) and his idol was Sir Bobby Moore. Ray enjoyed in his younger years playing football for the local club in Wing and was “allegedly” was approached by a West ham Scout. Due to an injury his football days were cut short. Like his idol Freddie Mercury he was a ‘Great Pretender’ and he loved to dance at many family parties and get together. He Loved watching Peter Rabbit with his granddaughter Abigail and fond memory we will cherish is his comical impressions of the Lion in the wizard of Oz he was always say to the girls” put um up” we would all be in hysterics. He loved to joke and play practical jokes.
Ray will be dearly missed he was the kindest, gentle and generous Son, Brother, Husband, Father and Gaga you could wish for.
Forever in our hearts always.
We would love to hear your memories or see and photos you have, please post below.
donated £20 in memory of Raymond
A lovely donation from Becky, Paul and Nathan dear friends of mine thankyou for your support x
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Love you dad miss you so much my world is lost without you 😪
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I was very sad to hear of the passing of Raymond. I only have fond memories from my childhood and the time spent with Katie. Always very patient and kind to us no matter how much trouble we caused. My thoughts are with you and the family during this hard time. Sending my love x
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Ray was a great man and I am proud to have him as my father-in-law. He was such a kind and caring man and was always willing to give to others even if it meant he went without. I have some fond memories of Ray in the last 10 years I have known him. I remember when we sat watching rugby together and also going to a men's church event where he was very cold but loved chatting with other men. My daughters loved Ray and would often find them sat with him drawing or reading.
Thank you Ray for all you have done for me and my family. You were a brilliant father-in-law and a kind friend. Wish I could give you one last hug friend. Rest in peace. God Bless
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donated £30 in memory of Raymond
With love from Uncle Peter, Jan, Claire and family xx
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So sorry to hear that Ray is no longer with you. Such sad news. All our Love xx
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Dad you was the best . I love and miss you so much ,. You always helped me when I needed it and you rest now with special angels and with nannie , grandad . 💙 Until we meet again fly high dad and God bless xxx
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Love and miss you Ray xxx
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Well what can we say?! Ray, what a guy. A truly lovely gent, a chase the ace champ, a truly lovely lovely guy x we will remember and miss you always Ray x love us Anthony's xxx
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A whole house in one room x
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Ray was such a lovely man and was very kind to everyone who met him. I have fond memories of the day Ray and Lillian came to my mums house to see all Katie’s belongings which were crammed into my mums conservatory. We had offered to look after Katie’s ‘stuff’ until she moved and Ray and Lillian’s faces were a picture. Who’d of thought someone could have so much stuff !! They were very grateful for our help as they lived so far away at the time. So glad you got to be close to your family for your remaining years, precious memories. Pleasure to of met you Ray, RIP. Lots of love and my thoughts are with Katie, Lillian and the whole family at this terribly sad time x x x
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I’ve known Ray’s daughter Katie since primary school and were close during our time at Summerbee Comprehensive School in Bournemouth. As a group of friends, we often spent time in their flat listening to pop music and generally being really loud teenagers! Ray was always really patient and kind with us, although we must have disturbed his sleep with our midnight banter since he had to be up so early with work. He always offered us rides home after school when it rained. He was an all-round friendly guy, and I was really sad to hear that he had passed way before his time. Much love to all the Gibbs family.
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My abiding memory of Dad was when he used to take us out in the car and I used to make him laugh by doing my impression on Stan Laurel. He laughed so hard that I thought he would loose control of the car as his eyes streamed with tears of happiness . I remember it like it was yesterday. I will miss you Dad x
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So sorry for your loss such sad news. You are such a lovely family. Always there to help/ support everyone. Always had the pleasure of seeing Ray on the school run with Lillian always waving and smiling. Such a lovely couple. My thoughts are with Lillian and the rest of the family. The best ones are always taken first. Lots of love to you all xx
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Love u, miss you and you are with mum and dad, Alan
God bless and rest in peace brother
Bernie and Linda x
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Gentleman...just one word but it sums up Ray so perfectly. He had such a warm nature about him that made him so easy to chat to. The world could do with a few more Ray's. Big love to Lillian, Katie,John and the girls xxx
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donated in memory of Raymond
In the memory of Raymond Gibbs
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Lovely words and photos. So sorry for your loss xx
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donated £30 in memory of Raymond
Miss you Uncle Ray. God Bless you. We will meet again in heaven xxxx
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Uncle Ray was a lovely man. He was always so loving to me. At times I felt like I was his Son. I truly regret not seeing him for so long. God bless you Uncle Ray. I look forward to meetng you again in heaven, with my Dad and Nan & Grandad.
God bless all the family too at this very sad time. It’s such a shame that we can’t be there but we will be with you at the service online.
Love & Best Wishes
Simon & Hayley xxx
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I meet ray when l started to work with Lillian at St Albans rest home he was a lovely man and would help anyone he loved his family very much he will be missed very much god bless ray xxxx
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A whole house in one room x
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