Remembering Irwin

A shining star
but not so far
All heart
And so smart
kept friends close
loved family most
Zest for life
did cause some strife
had a girl
what a pearl
friends since eight
strange is fate
arm in arm
they meant no harm
life can be lonely
when old and boney
took some trips
laughed at quips
drank some wine
did fine dine
when not so strong
He said so long
Its been 2 years
we cry our tears
Forever missed
But know he's blessed.

Sue and Claudia
Corinne's daughters

Bless you in Heaven Dear friend. Fond memories of our days at Marina Jr. High. Mike

Bless you Dear Friend. Happy memories of our days at Marina Jr. High Mike Paioni

Dear Irwin, We know that you are looking over us and loving your newest great grand bables, Kayla and Carter Jones! You are missed so much but we feel your presence. Love you!

To my dear friend Irwin. My classmate at Marina Jr Hi. Bless you and rest in peace. Mike Paion

Dear Mary & Gary, I have been thinking about my dear friend for months, so it is fate that I can share my good fortune to have Irwin be my mentor. I was so blessed to have shared time with him during my career in the food industry. He took me throughout the Bay area as an equal, even though I was in my late 20's & 30's. He helped me find a new job and was the first to call when our first son was born with huge challenges. He took me to Montezuma one evening to meet all his other legendary buddies. We went to so many sensational restaurants, where everyone simply said, "Hello Mr. Gibbs, please come sit here." I have been a lucky man to know your husband and, Gary, your dad. Thank you for sharing him with me and the world. Heaven has been filled with his effervescent smiles since he arrived. Many continued blessings to the Gibbs family. You will always be in my heart and prayers, Joe Schwalbach

We were shocked to hear about Irwin’s death this summer. As we would talk every 3-4 months, then when I called recently and his answering machine was full I felt that there was something wrong and called his sons office and found out the bad news.

I first met Irwin at the National Food Brokers Convention approximately 25-30 years ago at which time we became good friends. The fact of the matter is he and a number of us started the Broker Management Council, a group of food service brokers that grew from 2-3 brokers to over 30 brokers throughout the country. In those years we had many good times in essence any time my wife and I were in San Francisco Irwin and I would do some duck hunting and of course after we had our hunt we would take the ducks to Trader Vic’s restaurant, pick up our wife’s and go back to
Trader Vic’s and have those same ducks for dinner-those are great memories.

For sure he was a great asset to all of the National Food Brokers in the country and the fact is that his son Gary and his nephew are carrying on his tradition is good for his legacy.

We are going to miss Irwin and Smiley he sure was a great businessman, a great and loyal friend and a great person.

Ed & Shirlyn
Grzesik

memories of Irwin and the gibbs boys goes back in my family three generations...my grandpa knew Irwin and went to the Cioppino Feed at the Leopard with my father and I...and to the Napa Valley Ranch where we gathered with the Foodsters, i am a generation, the next one and there is one or two after me, but luckily i got to know Irwin, his family, his friends which to me were in the Food Business, but i know it was so much more...if then, you can be remembered at least three generations after you are gone, in my book, you win...Irwin wins, we all win because we were a part of his life, live on forever Irwin Gibbs...

I'd only known Irwin for a decade or so. He was such a nice person, and very generous with his time and information. Irwin will be greatly missed.

l enjoyed every moment, talking about guy things, i.e. the fish that got
away. Now l have lost one more link with the good times

I worked for Irwin for seventeen years. In addition to an industry leader he was also a friend. Irwin was and will continue to be a legend and will not be forgotten

I met Irwin in 1982 in one of his many roles as a volunteer - this was with the March of Dimes. It was my great honor and privilege to remain his friend until the end. Irwin was a man who mastered the art of living.
He loved people and generously gave excellent advice, encouragement and moral support. He regaled me with news of the family and accomplishments such as Henry's worldwide travels and the birth of great grandson Spencer.  He was a very, very proud father, grandfather, great grandfather and uncle!

To a dear friend and classmate at Marina Jr. High. Bless you dear friend and may you rest in Heaven. My prayers are with you and your dear Family. Ciao Mike Paioni

Thank you for connecting me with my sister Monda, and thanks for giving me a part time job when I was 17 !

I've had the pleasure of working for Irwin at Gibbs-McCormick, Inc. for 26 years. I learned a lot from him over the years, and shared his belief in giving our customer's great service by keeping them updated and informed. He worked hard and enjoyed life to it's fullest. I will miss him, and his stories.

We first met in Winfield Scott grammar school; our friendship continued throughout all the many years since. Irwin was always an affable presence in my life, bringing me cans of gigantic black olives to eat during some of our memorable outings. One in particular stands out: a car trip northward into Oregon: Irwin and Marion, Marilyn and myself, in our Studebaker convertible we called the Green Goddess. 1949, no kids yet, photos in Lassen National Park, perched on that lovely car, forever young and carefree

Our mutual friendship continued over the years: we all had children, they got older, we got older, we met for dinners and drinks and special events....and as the years went by, we continued seeing each other. He was a constant presence, sometimes seeming larger than life, but always there. Life goes on but will seem strange and empty without him. He will be forever missed.

I grew up hearing great stories about Irwin camping with my dad and brothers and his gourmet cooking. He has been a life long fishing of my father's. His warm heart and smile will be missed by all! Irwin was one of those special souls that made an impact on all those who were lucky enough to know him.

Irwin was the most amazing Grandfather that I could have ever hoped for my children. Amanda and Joe Gibbs. I am striving to be the kind of Grandmother to Spencer Jones that Irwin & Marion were. That is an extremely tall order for anyone. Irwin, it has been my pleasure to know and love you for over 40 years. May you rest in peace and we will all join you soon. Missing you!

I was saddened to hear of Irwin's passing. I first met him in 1937 at Marina Junior High where we were in the same homeroom--138--Over the past 20 or more years he has organized beautiful reunion parties for that homeroom which we all appreciated and had such fun at. See you at the next one, Irwin

for over 20 years I took a steam with Irwin at the Concordia Club in the morning before work---he was a smart and good man with a great sense of humor and he will be missed!

Things just aren't the same without you here. I think about you everyday and miss you so much. I love you Grandpa!

Thank you for being so special in Monda's life. We love you and you will be missed.