OBITUARY
FALL RIVER- James M. Gibney passed away peacefully on September 28, 2026, in the presence of his loving wife and their two daughters.
A lifelong resident of Fall River, Jim was a proud graduate of the B.M.C. Durfee High School Class of 1964 and the Bryant College Class of 1968. He was employed by the Fall River Public School System for 32 years serving in various capacities, beginning as an ESL Teacher in 1968 and serving as the Superintendent of Schools from 1994 – 2000. He retired from Massachusetts as the principal of Westport Middle School in 2008, but went on to lead the Wilbur-McMahon School in Little Compton, RI until fully retiring in 2012.
A devout Catholic and communicant of St. Joseph’s Church in Fall River, Jim served as a eucharistic minister for many years. He often credited his days participating in the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) as an integral part of his life’s success.
Jim was extremely active in his community serving on countless boards and committees throughout his life including the Durfee Alumni Association, Fall River Boys and Girls Clubs, The Fall River Chamber of Commerce, Fall River Public Library Board of Trustees, and the B.M.C. Durfee Class of 1964 Reunion Committee. His firm belief in giving back to the city he loved earned him many awards and accolades. He was named “Man of the Year” by the March of Dimes in 1987 and received the Bryant College Distinguished Alumni Award in 1989. Due to his volunteerism, he was chosen to carry the Olympic Torch when it traveled throughout the United States on its way to Atlanta in 1996 and he served as chairman of the Fall River Celebrates America Committee in 1998. He was honored as the Fall River Elks Lodge #118 Citizen of the Year in 1999.
An avid runner, he enjoyed training and participating in local road races with many friends including “The Marathon Gang.” One of his proudest personal moments was completing the Blue Cross of Rhode Island Marathon in 1992 achieving his goal of running the Rhode Island Marathon in just under four hours.
Jim loved regaling others with stories about his younger years, and he attended monthly luncheons with the Durfee Class of 1964 Reunion Committee. Jim was proud of being an alumnus of Bryant College, being a brother of the Phi Sigma Nu fraternity, being named “Mr. Personality” by his Greek Life peers in 1967 and serving as the President of the Class of 1968. He looked forward to meeting up with his breakfast crew at McDonalds and sitting at the top of North Park reminiscing about the “good old days”. He was also a loyal Red Sox fan who enjoyed the ups and downs of each season. Despite his many accomplishments, Jim’s fondest moments were spent amongst family and friends, at many gatherings, the annual Hilton Head family vacations, and especially watching his grandchildren participate in their various extracurricular activities.
Jim is survived by his wife of 58 years, Catherine (Ladeira), and their two daughters, Christine Madden and her husband Christopher of Raynham, MA and Kerri Laurenzo and her husband Christopher of Belchertown, MA. In addition to his wife and daughters, he is survived by five grandchildren: Ainsley Madden, Bryson Madden, Owen Laurenzo, Piper Laurenzo, and Harper Laurenzo, as well as siblings Edward P. Gibney, Jr, Marifran Davis, John (Jack) Gibney, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Edward P. and M. Rita (Larkin) Gibney, and brothers Joseph (Jay) Gibney and Thomas Gibney.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a time of visitation on Friday, October 2, 2026, from 4-7pm in the Hathaway Home for Funerals, 1813 Robeson St., Fall River.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, October 3rd at 10am in St. Joseph Church, 1335 N. Main St., Fall River. Please arrive at the church no later than 9:45 AM.
Burial will follow in the St. Patrick Cemetery, Fall River.
Memorial donations can be made to the American Heart Association.
For online family register, please visit www.hathawayfunerals.com
