Michael Killian Gibbons, loved beach life

Michael Killian Gibbons, 72, of Rehoboth Beach, formerly of Springfield, Va., died peacefully at home with his loving family by his side Monday, Sept. 26, 2022. 

Mike was the beloved husband of Mary Gibbons, they shared 28 years of marriage together; loving father of Shannon Nelson and husband Pete of Herndon, Bianca Berrios and partner Edgar Cartagena of Ashburn, Joseph DePalma and wife Lindsay of Fairfax, and Kathryn Kemp and husband Josh of Leesburg; cherished grandpa of Celina, Keila, Adriana, Ethan, Ella, Chase, Grant, Leah and Kelly; great-grandfather of Nevaeh and Aiden; brother of Joseph Gibbons and wife Gayle Gibbons of Springfield, and the late Pat Sahinkaya of Buxton, England; uncle to Megan Howard of Springfield, Irem Patel and husband Raj of London, England, Evrim Sahinkaya Cusimano and husband Giorgio of Buxton. Mike was a friend of Bill for 34 years, and had a passion for sharing his experience, strength and hope with others.

Mike retired from Fairfax Water in 2016 after 25 years of service. During retirement, he and Mary traveled Europe for a few months, enjoying their time together with his sister, Pat. In 2018, Mike and Mary moved to Rehoboth Beach, where they were living his dream by the beach until he was diagnosed with cancer in April 2022.

A viewing will be held from 2 to 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 29, at Demaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Road, Springfield, Va. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 30, at the funeral home.  

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation to American Cancer Society, cancer.org.