Frank Gibson

Frank Gibson of Massillon, Ohio passed away on Sunday, March 12, 2017 in Naples, Florida after a valiant and extended battle with heart disease. Frank and his wife Margaret "Sarianides" Gibson retired to their hometown of Massillon and in recent years enjoyed spending winters in Naples. Mr. Gibson was born in North Lawrence, Ohio on March 30, 1934. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of Kansas and later earned a Master's Degree from Case Western Reserve. Frank was a justifiably proud and esteemed player and captain of the Massillon Tigers state and national championship football teams of 1949-1951, including being named to the All Ohio team. He played football in college for the Kansas Jayhawks and was named to the All-Conference team. In 1957, he was drafted in the NFL by the Chicago Cardinals, but decided instead to become a high school teacher and coach. He was a highly successful high school football coach for over 30 years in Hays (Kansas), Lawrence (Kansas), Cleveland Heights (Ohio, including a 1965 Lake Erie League Championship), Normandy High School in Parma (Ohio), Brush High School in South Euclid (Ohio) and Orange High School in Pepper Pike (Ohio). He is still fondly remembered and idolized as a favorite coach and also physical education/health teacher (including a role as head of the health/PE department for the entire school district). He had many opportunities to coach at the college level but truly preferred high school to maintain relationships with and inspire his students and student athletes. Frank (known by many as "Nook") was an enthusiastic gardener, master chef of the BBQ and an amazing golfer. He was exuberant when he got a "hole-in-one" just two years ago. Mr. Gibson is predeceased by his mother, Alvena Casack, his father James and his brothers, Jim and Jack. He is survived by his loving and deeply devoted wife of 61 years, Margaret; sisters, Peg Frank of Colorado, Nancy Helmuth of Orrville, Ohio and Betty Sherrett of Florida; three children, six grandchildren and one great-grand daughter. Mr. Gibson's oldest daughter Jane Goodwin and husband George, a PHD chemist, live in Pittsburgh, PA where George recently retired from PPG. His son Jack and his wife Myra live in Watchung, NJ where Jack is an actuary and Managing Director at Willis Towers Watson. His daughter Jennifer and husband Patrick Drouillard live in Norfolk, MA where Patrick is a Managing Director for UPS. Mr. Gibson's grandchildren include Bess "Goodwin" Wilson who lives in Middletown, DE and is a Compliance Officer for Citi, her husband Aaron Wilson who is self-employed in construction, Max Goodwin who lives in Pittsburgh and works for A & J Custom Crates, Ted Gibson who is a Principal and Product Manager with Novantas in New York City, Allison Gibson who is a Client Solutions Manager with Nielsen in New York City, Morgan Drouillard who is a nursing student at Capital University, Matthew Drouillard who like his grandfather is a starter for his high school football team at Xaverian Brothers (MA), and the apple of his eye, his great-granddaughter Claire. Mr. Gibson was deeply loved, adored and took great pride in his children and grandchildren and cherished their many happy family gatherings. Visitation will be held from on Thursday March 16 starting at 6PM till 8PM at Paquelet Funeral Home at 1100 Wales Road NE in Massillon, Ohio (with Trisagion memorial service at 7:30pm). The funeral will be held at 11 AM on Friday March 17 at St. George Greek Orthodox Church at 364 1st St. SE in Massillon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church.