Biography:

Dr. Parkinson “Laird” Gibbs was born in Toronto, Ontario on the 3rd of May 1917.  Dr. Gibbs was the eldest of 3 children born to William Ray King Gibbs and the former Eva Grace Laird.  Dr. Gibbs’ mother was born and raised in Dresden where her father was a partner in Laird Brothers Lumber Company. Dr. Gibbs’ siblings were: Elizabeth Grace Gibbs and Peter Wentworth Gibbs.

Dr. Gibbs was educated in Dresden but eventually moved on to Runnymede Public School in Toronto. Later he attended The University of Toronto for high school equivalents. After graduation, Dr. Gibbs found a job working part-time in the men’s wear department at the Robert Simpson Company from 1936-1937.  He eventually found full-time work in the advertising department as an office boy. His hard work was rewarded with a position as a lay-out artist.

Dr. Gibbs married Helen Mabel Collins in Toronto on the 29th of October, 1936.  Mrs. Gibbs was born in 1915, the eldest of 5 children born to Roy Ellsworth Collins and Mabel Eleanor Jane Currey.  Her father was Department Manager at the Robert Simpson Company, but he had died on the 1st of September, 1934.  Mrs. Gibbs siblings were; Robert, Arthur, Jean and Barbara.  At the time of their marriage, Dr. Gibbs resided at 529 Strathmore Blvd. and his wife lived at 37 Keystone Ave., in Toronto with her mother.  Dr. and Mrs. Gibbs divorced.

His career as a lay-out artist was re-routed with the call of World War II. Dr. Gibbs enlisted on August 23rd, 1940 with the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps and he trained as a nursing orderly. Dr. Gibbs was seconded to the Royal Canadian Air Force.  He transferred there officially on November 16th, 1940. He took training to be a radiographer. For the next 6 years he traveled to field hospitals throughout Canada and Europe. When he was discharged on February 16, 1946, he held the rank of Flight Sergeant.

Dr. Gibbs married Marguerite Helena Hook on the 23rd of January, 1941. Mrs. Gibbs was born in Midland, Ontario on the 16th of December, 1914.  Mrs. Gibbs was the 5th of 7 children born to James Hook and the former Mabel Florence Ney.  Her father was a builder and her siblings were; Ernest James Hook, Earl Ney Hook, Beverly Richard Hook, Dora Mabel Hook, Raymond Hook and Kathleen Hook.  At the time of their marriage, Mrs. Gibbs lived in Toronto.  Dr. and Mrs. Gibbs had no children.

Before entering the University of Western Ontario in the fall of 1946, Dr. Gibbs was a traveling wool salesman in Quebec and Ontario. Once at the University of Western Ontario, he pursued a pre-medical science course of studies. Dr. Gibbs completed his degree in the fall of 1948 and graduated with his M.D. degree on the 31st of May, 1952. While in university he served on the Hippocratic Council and the Student Council. He was a member of the Honor Society and Editor-In-Chief of the Western Ontario University Medical Journal.  Dr Gibbs interned in Toronto.

Sometime between 1951 and 1952, he re-enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Pilot Officer. After graduating from medical school he was promoted to Flight Lieutenant and interned at the Toronto General Hospital. After completing his internship he was transferred to the London Base of the R.C.A.F. for officers training. In July of 1954 he was appointed as the Senior Medical Officer and transferred to Claresholm, Alberta. On August of 1956 he was promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader and transferred to St. John’s, Quebec. In November of 1957, he was transferred to Goose Bay, Labrador and served as the Commanding Officer of the R.C.A.F. Hospital.

On December 16, 1958, he retired from the R.C.A.F. to set up a medical practice in Dresden.

Dr. Gibbs had practicing privileges at Public General Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Sydenham District Hospital in Wallaceburg. At one time he was Chief of Staff at Sydenham Hospital. Dr. Gibbs was a coroner for Lambton and Kent Counties. He was an Aviation Medical Examiner. In 1965 he was appointed Medical Officer of Health for Dawn Township.

Dr. Gibbs served as the Mayor of Dresden from 1962 to 1964. Dr. Gibbs was a member of the Kent County Medical Association. He was a fellow with the American Geriatrics Society and a member of the Aerospace Medical Association.

Dr. Gibbs was a member of the Branch 113 Legion in Dresden and he held the position of First Vice-President. He enjoyed organ music, photography and weimaraner dogs.

Dr. Gibbs died on the 23rd of August, 1980 at the Public General Hospital in Chatham.  Mrs. Gibbs died the same year as her husband.  Dr. and Mrs. Gibbs were buried at the Dresden Cemetery.

*Dr. Gibbs’ father served with the Canadian Military during WWI.  He enlisted in Oshawa on the 20th of October, 1916.