NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. – Melvin E. “Mel” Gibbs, 78, of Hudson, Fla., died Thursday, Oct. 28, at the Marliere Hospice Center.

He was born in Livermore on March 30, 1926.

He was an Army Corp veteran, attended William and Mary College, and graduated from Winchester Repeating Arms Trade School in New Haven, Conn., retiring from the tool making profession in 1991.

He was Past Master of Compass Lodge 9 in Wallingford, Conn., and gave many years of dedicated service to affiliate bodies of the Masonic Order before moving to New Hampshire in 1984.

Survivors include his wife, Judith; a son, Charles H., of Colorado Springs; a daughter, Nancy Ruth Philippi of Cairo, Ga.; three stepsons, John LaRiviere of Indiana, and Mark and Robert LaRiviere, both of Meriden, Conn.; a brother, Lawrence of North Haven, Conn.; two sisters, Ruth Goforth of Scarborough, and LaVerna House of North Turner; several nieces and nephews; two granddaughters; four stepgrandsons; and a great-granddaughter.