Guyanese veteran journalist and former editor of St Maarten’s Daily Herald newspaper Courtney Gibson died on Sunday evening, at a United States hospital, where he was being treated for an advanced brain tumor.
He was 61 years old.
His daughter Jewel Gibson, the second of Gibson’s three children, told Stabroek News last evening that her father died on Sunday evening, around 11pm, six weeks after he was diagnosed with Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).
However, his correct diagnosis came months after suffering from several seizures and undergoing multiple tests, in various countries, to ascertain what was causing him pain and semi paralysis on the left side of his body.
Speaking with this newspaper from the United States, another daughter, Coel Gibson-Jones, described a humble, family-oriented brilliant man. “He was a very humble, funny, respected, dignified person who cared about the quality of information given to the public… He gave nothing but excellence. He leaves a legacy of excellence… A very loving father, husband, son, friend, worker, you name it,” she said.
As she fondly depicted a father who taught his children the value of family, his daughter Jewel said, “My father made it known that family was everything. He kept close relationships with his first, second and down to the last cousin and was always the one to call up or visit a member of his family,” she said.
The reciprocal giving was demonstrated by family members who travelled from all over the world to be by the bedside of the man that showed them love; praying and hoping that he would pull through his illness.
She said that although her father had little leisure time as he was also a “workaholic” he took time out to know what was happening with everyone using varying technology mediums. When he was home he would talk about “his politics” as he loved world issues especially those that were political.
The grandfather also used the time he had when home to assist in the preparation of meals, if not cook them himself.
Tributes yesterday poured in from local friends of Gibson in the media. Longtime friend Bert Wilkinson said the death came as a shock to him as he was eagerly anticipating Gibson’s visit to Guyana when he would “catch up with the boys.” He told of Gibson’s years in Guyana where he worked with the then Guyana News Agency, renamed GINA, and his time as Editor In Chief of the Guyana Chronicle. He was also selected to serve as a Guyana Information Officer in London and once worked with the Caribbean News Agency.
“He was a congenial personality, had tons of experience and was brilliant. He didn’t drink and smoke and that kind of thing he just loved a good lime where he would talk on any topic…” he said.
Stabroek News’ Business Editor Arnon Adams, another friend and former co- worker of Gibson, reflected on a dedicated and principled colleague and friend. “Courtney was around at a time when he worked under Carl Blackman one of the finer newspaper editors of all time and he emulated [him]. [He was] an extremely amenable kind of guy who was always very helpful but very professional, always professional.
A very competent journalist and this is a blow; it comes as quite a shock,” Adams said.
Gibson’s family informed that his cremation will be held this Sunday in New York while a memorial service will be held in Guyana the following Sunday, June 16. The urn with his remains will then be taken to be interred in his hometown of Adventure, Essequibo.
He leaves his wife of 38 years Juliet Gibson; his 83-year-old mother Iris; three children, grandchildren and hundreds of other relatives to mourn.
