John F. Giblin

John F. Giblin, Jr., 79, of Lancaster, died on Monday, March 9, 2015 at Maple Farm Nursing Home, Akron, PA. Born in Boston, MA, he was the son of the late John F. and Mabelle Wallace Giblin of Fall River, MA. He was married to Carol Creamer Giblin for 56 years. He grew up in Swansea and Fall River, MA and was employed by Thomas Industries in Louisville, KY and Sparta, TN. In 1976 he became Eastern Regional Sales Manager for Thomas and moved to Harrisburg, PA. In his younger years, John was an avid sailor, racing in Beetles and Herreshoff 15‘s and “S” boats on Narrangansett Bay. He was a member of the Coles River Yacht Club. After leaving Massachusetts he enjoyed golfing in Kentucky and Tennessee. In 1983 he became involved in black powder shooting and rendezvous gatherings. He began sewing leather shooting bags as a hobby. The bags became so much in demand that he expanded to a small business known as Greybear Leather. Over the years he has hand crafted thousands of shooting bags. He was a member of the National Muzzeloading Rifle Assoc. and is an artisan of the Contemporary Long Rifle Assoc. He has shown his bags in many shows including the Pennsylvania Sports and Outdoor Show for many years. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children: John F. Giblin, III (Jack) and wife Susan Sell of Harrisburg; Michael E. Giblin of Mechanicsburg; Patricia A. Fackler and husband Alan M. Fackler of Lancaster; David A. Giblin and wife Lynette of Mechanicsburg; and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Susan Giblin who died in 2010. Relatives and friends are invited to attend John’s Memorial Gathering on Sunday, March 15, 2015 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at The Groffs Family Funeral & Cremation Services, 528 W. Orange Street (corner of Orange and Pine Sts.), Lancaster. An Irish Wake will be held at a later date and interment will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in John’s memory can be made to www.NationalAutismAssociation.org, The Susan Giblin Foundation for Animal Wellness and Welfare, PO Box 342, Dillsburg, PA 17019 or the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association, www.NMLRA.org.

John F. Giblin

March 10, 2015