Michael Lawrence Giblin, CWO-3. USCG (Ret)
April 15, 1952 ~ February 4, 2021
Michael Lawrence ‘Mikey/Gibby’ Giblin, 68, of Huntly, Virginia, “passed over the bar” Thursday, February 04, 2021, in Fairfax, Virginia. He fought pancreatic cancer for more than a year, never giving up the battle.
He was born to his late parents Harold A. Giblin, Jr. and Barbara Bennett, April 15, 1952 in Red Bank, NJ. His early and teen years were spent in Fair Haven and Little Silver, NJ. He was also predeceased by his step-father, Charles Allas, and step-mother, Doris Giblin. He married Karen Gardner in 1997, living in Centreville, Virginia before relocating to Huntly, VA in 2019 after his retirement.
Michael proudly served 20 years in the U.S. Coast Guard. He enlisted in 1969 at the age of 17 during the height of the Vietnam War. After graduation from the Cape May NJ Basic Training Center, he became a Radioman at the entry level. Over the course of his service, he navigated the rank structure to Chief Warrant Officer 03 (Comms) until his retirement in 1989. He was an Alumni of USCG Cutter Owasco 39 (NRUA), USCG Base Gloucester, NJ, USCG Cutter Gallatin 721 (NJOR), USCG Governor's Island, NY and USCG HQ G-TIS, Washington DC. During his career in the USCG, he was awarded the USCG Achievement Medal, USCG Meritorious Unit Commendation with Operational Device, National Defense Service Medal and the USCG Sea Service Ribbon. He loved the years that he spent in the Coast Guard and was proud to have served his country. Mike followed his Coast Guard career with 25+ years of Senior IT Consulting to private industry, local government, and federal agencies.
Mike loved spending his free time hunting, fishing, gardening, and relaxing at his mountain retreat. He and Karen enjoyed numerous trips including his favorites to Ireland, Scotland, and Alaska.
Michael is survived by his loving wife, Karen Gardner of Huntly, VA, his daughters; Stephanie Giblin Bounds (Jason) and Casey Gardner; his sons Christopher Giblin; Joshua Giblin (Bethany); and Jeremy Giblin; his grandchildren Rebecca Bounds and James Bounds. He is also survived by his brothers Shannon Giblin (Stella Ruane), Kelly Giblin (Lisa) and sisters Kathleen Giblin Goodman, Karen Allas Kovacofsky (Donald), Barbara Ann Allas, along with many nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by his adoring wife, children, grandchildren, family, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
A funeral service will be held at the Old Post Chapel on Joint Base Myer-Henderson followed by burial at Arlington National Cemetery, date to be confirmed and details to follow.
He was born to his late parents Harold A. Giblin, Jr. and Barbara Bennett, April 15, 1952 in Red Bank, NJ. His early and teen years were spent in Fair Haven and Little Silver, NJ. He was also predeceased by his step-father, Charles Allas, and step-mother, Doris Giblin. He married Karen Gardner in 1997, living in Centreville, Virginia before relocating to Huntly, VA in 2019 after his retirement.
Michael proudly served 20 years in the U.S. Coast Guard. He enlisted in 1969 at the age of 17 during the height of the Vietnam War. After graduation from the Cape May NJ Basic Training Center, he became a Radioman at the entry level. Over the course of his service, he navigated the rank structure to Chief Warrant Officer 03 (Comms) until his retirement in 1989. He was an Alumni of USCG Cutter Owasco 39 (NRUA), USCG Base Gloucester, NJ, USCG Cutter Gallatin 721 (NJOR), USCG Governor's Island, NY and USCG HQ G-TIS, Washington DC. During his career in the USCG, he was awarded the USCG Achievement Medal, USCG Meritorious Unit Commendation with Operational Device, National Defense Service Medal and the USCG Sea Service Ribbon. He loved the years that he spent in the Coast Guard and was proud to have served his country. Mike followed his Coast Guard career with 25+ years of Senior IT Consulting to private industry, local government, and federal agencies.
Mike loved spending his free time hunting, fishing, gardening, and relaxing at his mountain retreat. He and Karen enjoyed numerous trips including his favorites to Ireland, Scotland, and Alaska.
Michael is survived by his loving wife, Karen Gardner of Huntly, VA, his daughters; Stephanie Giblin Bounds (Jason) and Casey Gardner; his sons Christopher Giblin; Joshua Giblin (Bethany); and Jeremy Giblin; his grandchildren Rebecca Bounds and James Bounds. He is also survived by his brothers Shannon Giblin (Stella Ruane), Kelly Giblin (Lisa) and sisters Kathleen Giblin Goodman, Karen Allas Kovacofsky (Donald), Barbara Ann Allas, along with many nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by his adoring wife, children, grandchildren, family, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
A funeral service will be held at the Old Post Chapel on Joint Base Myer-Henderson followed by burial at Arlington National Cemetery, date to be confirmed and details to follow.
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You’ll be in our Prayers! Mike will always hold a very dear part of my heart as a true friend and mentor, who will be greatly missed.
Mike gave me my break into the industry after I left the Military. He took me under his wing and set my path for success, as well as became a dear friend I could always count on. I owe him more than I could every begin to say. Karen and family – you will remain in my prayers and am so very sorry for your loss. Semper Paratus Mike. God rest your soul!