DANFORTH – Gilbert W. “Gib” Spinney died March 19, 2008, after a brief illness, at a Bangor hospital. He was born Nov. 28, 1931, in Danforth, the son of Gilbert M. and Mae (Brandon) Spinney. He graduated from Danforth High School and was a veteran of the Korean War. After completing his military service, he drove tractor-trailer before returning to his roots in Danforth. After retiring from Georgia Pacific, he worked for Virgil and Micah Bartlett doing excavating jobs. Most recently he plowed the roads of Danforth in the winter. Gib loved to hunt and fish, and took great pleasure teaching his grandsons the “tricks of the trade.” He enjoyed watching NASCAR and couldn’t wait for Red Sox season. His favorite get-a-way was in Robinson at Hilltop Campground, where he and Larene spent May through October. He was appointed official groundskeeper and residential handy man. Gib was a social man and a friend to all. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was a member of Grand Lake Grange No. 375, Baskahegan Masonic Lodge No. 175 and past commander of Rex L. McKinney Post No. 45. In addition to his parents, Gib was predeceased by two brothers, Otis and Basil Spinney; two sisters, Kathy Spinney Henderson and Marjorie Spinney Curtis; and three grandchildren, Robbie and Timothy Lane, and Nye G. Whiting. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 50 years, Larene (Irish) Spinney; three children, Nye F. Whiting of Brooklin, Kenneth Whiting and his wife, Bonnie, of Danforth, and Helena Lane and her husband, Robert, of Millinocket; four grandchildren, Jeff Whiting and his wife, Kattie, of Lincoln, Kenneth Whiting Jr. and his partner, Nick Sturtevant, of Rockport, Kurt Whiting of Emporium, Pa., and Craig Whiting of Danforth, who was the apple of Gib’s eye; several great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. He leaves behind special friends, Pete and Debbie Theriault of Danforth, Marshal and Donna Hennequin of Robbinston, and Joe and Reba Leghorn of St. Stephens, Calif. Friends may call noon-4 p.m. Sunday at Clay Funeral Home – Bartlett Chapel, 24 Houlton Road, Danforth. There will be an American Legion service 1 p.m., a Grange service 2 p.m. and a Masonic funeral 3 p.m., all at the funeral home. A celebration of his life will be held 4-6 p.m. Sunday at Grand Lake Grange, where friends and family are invited to share conversation and refreshments. Graveside services will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gib’s memory to Patricia Day Scholarship Fund or a charity of one’s choice. For an online register book, please visit www.clayfuneralhome.com.
GILBERT W. ‘GIB’ SPINNEY
