IRVING GUNNAR HOLGAR STIBOLT

April 17, 1925 - January 30, 2011

Tribute for a Dear Man

Irving passed away peacefully, in his sleep, on Sunday afternoon...

Irv was known for his "oh, so glad to see you" smile, and his loyalty to Family and Friends... He was always available to whoever needed his help, whether the task was: repairing, building, creating or just being there to give advice on your project... He seemed to know about most everything, and was never afraid to put his muscles to work for us...

Cherishing his memory is June Page Stibolt (wife), Kirsten & Gretchen Stibolt (daughters), Eric Jerrold, Bryan Wright & Clarence Boston (grandsons), and Ryan LaFlamme (great-grandson)... Hans & Alma Stibolt (brother & sister-in-law), Ellen "Sis" Raines (sister), Brother & Sister-in-Law Ernie & Betty Page, Brother & Sister-in-Law Willie & Betty Fuqua, and many nieces and nephews also hold his memory close, as do other Family members...

Irving was born in Springfield, MA, on April 17, 1925, to Hans P. & Kirsten Hansen Stibolt...

Irv attended Springfield Technical High School until 1943, then joined the US Coast Guard during WWII (with written permission from his Mother; he was 17)... He was Honorably Discharged from the US Coast Guard in 1946...

Upon his return from the War, Irving courted June... She told him, a few days ago, that she thought that his arms were the most beautiful she'd ever seen, as was his blond hair, which was bleached nearly white from being in the Pacific Islands... When we could get him to talk about being in the service, Irving told us that he'd met Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (the movie was being made, when Irv was stationed there)... In Irving's old schoolteacher's desk are photos of his comrades and the natives that lived on Moratai, the island his unit was assigned to...   

Irving attended the Massachusetts Agricultural College at UMASS for a year, and worked in the greenhouses of Frank M Page, Florist (Irv's father-in-law)... Irving worked for the Springfield Gas Company from the 1950's thru 1963... Irv earned his Batchelor's Degree in Teaching from Westfield State College... Then he took a teaching position in Heating & A/C at Putnam High School, where he stayed for over 24 years...

Irving loved their house at Cape Cod, fishing, boating (he and a buddy once "rescued" a big wooden boat), speed skating, swimming, 10-pin bowling, the Boston Red Sox & the Patriots, golf (is a member of the National Hole-In-One Club), sitting in the sun & enjoying the newspaper, mystery novels, traveling, clamming (he caught them - the girls cleaned them), Family Reunions & get-togethers...

In the 50's, Irving and his brother Carl (nicknamed "Sunny") built an A-Frame hunting lodge in Newfane, VT... Ernie told me that Dad was an excellent marksman with either rifle or a bow...

He was very proud of his Grandchildren, and hoped for only the best for them... He was a faithful Husband, loving Father, and a good Son... Irving's nickname was "Honey", and we know that this wasn't just because of his honey-colored hair - he was his Mother's Favorite, and was very spoiled, according to his older brother, Hans (nicknamed "Bummy")! Irving liked to cook eggs, and his fried egg sandwiches were the best... He was also good at the grill...  

Irving donated his body to Umass in Worcester... He preferred not to have services... He liked to look at the Bright Side of Life, and our Family agrees with this... Read a good book and think of him... Listen to some 1940's music and think of him... Watch golf, football, or baseball on tv and think of him... Hug your Loved Ones and think of him... Help someone fix something and think of him... Spread your beautiful smiles around for others to see and think of him...

If you wish to make a donation in his name, the Charity of your choice would be lovely...

 

 

Photo Gallery

Click Thumbnail to View Larger Image

Irving & June at Cape Cod    Teaching Night School    Yikes

 

Irv & Quahogs   Irv & "Pretty"   Irv & Family @ Cape

 

Irv, Bryan & Eric   "Cousin" Don & Irv   Great-Grand Ryan & Irv

 

Irv & June - Tech Reunion 2010   Irv, Hans & Alma  

 

Irv, Ernie, Gretchen, Betty & Willie Fuqua & Bill Hubbard   Irv, Kirsti & Alma

 

50th Wedding Anniversary   50th Wedding Anniversary 2008

 

Irv & Nephew Ed Page

 

 

 

Please Visit Again - We Have Many More Photos to be Scanned!

 

More photos here

 

 

 

 

Updated March 28, 2014

 

Copyright ⓒ kirsti.net

Photos Contained Within This Website are Copyrighted - Please Contact Kirsti for Permission to Use