George Gibbons Jr. Way

George Gibbons Jr.(1974-2011) was the founder of The Gibbons’ Home, a bar at 54-12 69th Street in Maspeth, New York. Born to Irish Immigrants, he was very close to his family, including his siblings. He was a leader in community sports, and involved in educational, musical and charitable activities. He was always there for his community and family, treating everyone with respect. He was known to make everyone laugh and would always help a neighbor in need. He was so loved by his community that he became known as the Heart of Maspeth’s 60th Drive, the street that now bears his name.

 Gibbons Jr. died in a hit-and-run accident when the livery cab he was taking home after closing his bar was hit by a driver going the wrong way. his death brought the Maspeth community together and exposed dangerous loopholes in New York’s traffic laws, bringing attention to the weak penalty for leaving the scene of an accident.

The Gibbons Home, now owned by his brother, Eamon Gibbons, has been successful since reopening in 2012. It now hosts an annual golf outing in George’s memory.

Sources:

Gil Tauber, "NYC Honorary Street Names," accessed June 15, 2022, http://www.nycstreets.info/

Anna Gustafson, "Remembering the Heart of Maspeth, George Gibbons Jr.," The Forum Newsgroup, October 3, 2013, http://theforumnewsgroup.com/2013/10/03/remembering-the-heart-of-maspeth-george-gibbons-jr/

Liam La Guerre, " Maspeth street co-named George Gibbons Jr. Way," QNS, September 28, 2013, https://qns.com/2013/09/maspeth-street-co-named-george-gibbons-jr-way/

Phil Corso, "Gibbons’ Home reopens doors as George’s legacy," QNS, March 8 2012, https://qns.com/2012/03/gibbons-home-reopens-doors-as-georges-legacy/

Anna Gustafson, "Remembering the Heart of Maspeth, George Gibbons Jr," The Forum News Group, October 3, 2013, theforumnewsgroup.com/2013/10/03/remembering-the-heart-of-maspeth-george-gibbons-jr

Molly Muldoon, "Community mourn Queens bar owner killed in tragic head-on collision," Irish Central, October 19, 2011, www.irishcentral.com/news/community-mourn-queens-bar-owner-killed-in-tragic-head-on-collision-132134313-237418511

Molly Muldoon, "Family’s Irish pub reopens after tragic death of George Gibbons," Irish Central, February 29, 2012, www.irishcentral.com/news/familys-irish-pub-reopens-after-tragic-death-of-george-gibbons-140940893-237432811

Kerry O'Shea, "Queens Irish family outraged over plea deal for killer of George Gibbons" Irish Central, April 2 2012, www.irishcentral.com/news/queens-irish-family-outraged-over-plea-deal-for-killer-of-george-gibbons-145726485-237438921