Deceased Brethren
Thomas Gibbins (1872-1954) was a pioneer farmer in the Cowichan Valley. Gibbins Road in North Cowichan is named for him.
Thomas Gibbins was a life-member of Temple Lodge No. 33. He died in Victoria on 19 February 1954, aged 82.
Thomas Gibbins’ Petition for Initiation, dated 7 March 1910, states he was born in Birmingham, England on 28 April 1872, that he lived in Duncan and that his occupation was “Rancher”
Here is a map showing the intersection of Gibbins Road and Menzies Road, which bordered Thomas Gibbins’ property. According to the obituary below, Gibbins Road ended at Thomas Gibbins’ property at the time he lived there. It still does.
Here is some biographical information on Thomas Gibbins taken from local newspaper reports of his death and funeral:
“Gibbins – Mr. Thomas Gibbins, the man after whom Gibbins Road was named, died in Victoria on February 19.
In his 82nd year, Mr. Gibbins was born in England. He came to the Cowichan district nearly 60 years ago.
He lived for many years on Gibbins Road, which at that time ended at his place, now the W.S. Gwyn property.
Although Menzies Road led off Cowichan Lake Road above Gibbins Road the two were not joined together and Menzies Creek on Gibbins Road was not bridged until about 1903.
Later Mr. Gibbins moved into Duncan, living on Trunk Road. He married at that time and his two daughters were born here. He had lived in Victoria for nearly 35 years.
His wife, Evelyn Frances, survives in Victoria, and his daughters, Phoebe Violet and Barbara Mary, reside in England.
The funeral service took place in Christ Church cathedral, Victoria, on March 1, the Most Reverend H.E. Sexton, archbishop of B.C., presiding. Cremation followed.
During his years here Mr. Gibbins supported St. John’s Church. He was a life member of Temple Lodge, A.F. & A.M.”
(Source: Cowichan Leader, 11 March 1954, from Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives collections)
As noted in the obituary above, Thomas Gibbins was a member of St. John’s Anglican Church in Duncan.
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