Michael Lawrence “Mikey /Gibby” Giblin, 68, of Huntly, Virginia, “passed over the bar” Feb. 4, 2021, in Fairfax, Virginia. He fought pancreatic cancer for more than a year, never giving up the battle.
He was born April 15, 1952, to his late parents, Harold A. Giblin Jr. and Barbara Bennett, in Red Bank. His early and teen years were spent in Fair Haven and Little Silver. He was predeceased by his stepfather, Charles Allas, and stepmother, Doris Giblin. He married Karen Gardner in 1997, living in Centreville, Virginia, before relocating to Huntly in 2019 after his retirement.
Michael proudly served 20 years in the U.S. Coast Guard. He enlisted in 1969 at the age of 17 during the height of the Vietnam War. After graduation from the Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, he became a radioman at the entry level. Over the course of his service, he navigated the rank structure to Chief Warrant Officer 03 (Comms) until his retirement in 1989. He was an alumnus of USCG Cutter Owasco 39 (NRUA), USCG Base Gloucester, NJ, USCG Cutter Gallatin 721 (NJOR), USCG Governor’s Island, NY and USCG HQ G-TIS, Washington D.C. During his career in the USCG, he was awarded the USCG Achievement Medal, USCG Meritorious Unit Commendation with Operational Device, National Defense Service Medal and the USCG Sea Service Ribbon. He loved the years that he spent in the Coast Guard and was proud to have served his country. Mike followed his Coast Guard career with 25-plus years of senior IT consulting to private industry, local government and federal agencies.
Mike loved spending his free time hunting, fishing, gardening and relaxing at his mountain retreat. He and Karen enjoyed numerous trips including his favorites to Ireland, Scotland and Alaska.
Michael is survived by his loving wife, Karen Gardner of Huntly, Virginia; his daughters, Stephanie Giblin Bounds (Jason) and Casey Gardner; his sons Christopher Giblin, Joshua Giblin (Bethany) and Jeremy Giblin; his grandchildren Rebecca Bounds and James Bounds. He is also survived by his brothers Shannon Giblin (Stella Ruane) and Kelly Giblin (Lisa) and sisters Kathleen Giblin Goodman, Karen Allas Kovacofsky (Donald) and Barbara Ann Allas; along with many nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by his adoring wife, children, grandchildren, family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at pancan.org.
A funeral service will be held at the Old Post Chapel on Joint Base Myer-Henderson followed by burial at Arlington National Cemetery, date to be confirmed and details to follow.
The article originally appeared in the March 4 – 10, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
