Arrangements for Gleason Depot Chair Whitfield Gibson

Update: Arrangements for Brother Gibson are as follows:
Saturday, July 28, 2018, at Lawrence H. Woodward Funeral Home,
1 Troy Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11213
phone: (718) 493-8120
There will be a viewing from 2pm – 5pm with a service immediately following at 5pm.

TWU Local 100 officers and members, especially those from TA Surface and Maintenance in Brooklyn, are mourning the passing of Whitfield Gibson, Chair of the Jackie Gleason Depot since 2006. Brother Gibson died early Monday morning, July 23, 2018, after a difficult battle with cancer. He was only 50 years old.

Word of his passing spread quickly around the union, prompting a flurry of heartfelt comments from officers and members about his dedication to the union and to transit workers.

TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano said that Gibson’s passing “is a deep loss for our union. Whitfield Gibson was a dedicated officer and an inspirational leader for all of TWU.  His impact at Gleason Depot was profound, and we are all in his debt for the type of leadership he brought to TA Surface and all of Local 100.  Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family. He will be sorely missed.”

TWU International President John Samuelsen said that Brother Gibson was a “fighter” with a “never back down” attitude. “It’s truly sad to lose someone like Whitfield Gibson at so early an age,” said Samuelsen. “He has given so much to this union and our members over the years, and he still had so much more to give. He will be sorely missed.”

Local 100 Secretary Treasurer Earl Phillips, who like Brother Gibson, was born in Barbados, said: “We all woke to the sad news of Brother Gibson’s passing this morning. We have lost a hard-working, courageous Chairman. He had been elected and reelected at Gleason Depot for the past 15 years, and the way he took care of his members, he could have stayed as long as he wanted. I have lost a brother countryman, and we all have lost a true stand up union leader. It’s going to be very difficult to find another leader like Whitfield Gibson.”

Vice President J.P. Patafio, a close personal friend and co-worker said: “Gleason Depot is in mourning today, and will be for some time to come. Brother Gibson was a beloved chairman. He dedicated his life to Local 100 and its members. He has touched hundreds of lives at Gleason in so many ways. With management, he was a tenacious fighter. He defended the membership tooth and nail. He knew the contract inside and out, and would never let management get over on anyone. He was respected and feared by management. They knew that with Gibson, he drew a line in the sand and they couldn’t cross it. He really cared. He had a lot pride in himself and in this union, and would never allow the union or a Local 100 member to be disrespected. He was truly a first among equals.”

Whitfield Gibson was born in Barbados on Aug. 11, 1967. He started as Bus Operator in 1999, and in less than four years, was elected Gleason Depot Vice Chair. He was then elected Chair in 2006 and has held that position since. Prior to being hired with NYCT, Gibson drove for Green Bus Lines, formerly a private company, now part of the MTA Bus Division. He is survived by his mother, father, sister and brother, and a host of friends and co-workers.

Arrangements are pending, and will be posted as soon as they have been completed.

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