What is the best Funeral Home in West Babylon?

Boyd Harrison Gibbons III August 16, 1937 – July 30, 2026 Boyd Harrison Gibbons III, 88, of Glen Cove, New York, formerly of Spring Green, Wisconsin, (and Racine, WI; Sacramento, CA; and Bethesda, MD) passed away peacefully on July 30, 2026, following a brief illness, surrounded by the love of his family. Born in Los Angeles, CA, to Boyd H. Gibbons, Jr. and Anita (McClure), he lived a life distinguished by public service, intellectual curiosity, and environmental stewardship. He is survived by his wife of sixty-three years, Gayetta (Beery) Gibbons. Boyd was a devoted father to Adam (Jenny Moye), Warren (Sheila Arenstam), and Andrew Gibbons (Manu Saluja). He was the proud grandfather of Ashna Gibbons, Ella Moye-Gibbons, and Sahana Gibbons. He was preceded in death by his cherished grandson, Nolan Gibbons, whose memory remained close to his heart. Boyd was a life-long advocate for the health of our natural environment. He found beauty at the intersection between nature, animals, and humans. Having spent part of his childhood on his family’s cattle ranch in Montana, Boyd was an avid outdoorsman from an early age. He was passionate about fishing, hunting, wildlife conservation, writing, and the natural world. Throughout his distinguished professional life, he worked at the crossroads of environmental policy, journalism, conservation, and public service. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Business from Arizona State University in 1959 and a law degree in 1962, Boyd served as a JAG officer in the United States Air Force in Okinawa. He then embarked on a career that would place him among the influential voices helping to shape modern environmental policy in the United States. During the Nixon administration, he served as Secretary to the Council on Environmental Quality, where he contributed to the implementation of landmark environmental initiatives and helped advance policies that continue to influence the framework of environmental governance today. Boyd later joined Resources for the Future as a senior research associate and authored Wye Island (1977), an acclaimed examination of conservation, land use, and community conflict on Maryland's Eastern Shore. From 1977 to 1992, Boyd served as a writer and editor for the National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C. Through his articles and editorial work, he helped bring stories of our economy, cultures, nature, and environmental change to millions of readers. His writing combined rigorous reporting with a storyteller's eye, deepening public appreciation for the natural world. In 1991, Boyd was appointed Director of the California Department of Fish and Game, serving until 1995. During a period of significant debate over conservation, wildlife protection, habitat management, and state-federal environmental policy, he was known for his principled leadership and unwavering advocacy for responsible stewardship of natural resources. Later in his career, he served as President of The S.C. Johnson Foundation at Wingspread from 1997 to 2007, where he fostered dialogue and collaboration on sustainability, education and the environment in public policy issues. Friends and colleagues knew Boyd as a thoughtful leader, gifted writer, and passionate conservationist. Family knew him as a loving husband, father, grandfather, talented musician and storyteller whose wisdom, humor, and generosity enriched the lives of those around him. Whether in a policy meeting, behind a typewriter, in a duck blind, or casting a fishing line across quiet waters, Boyd brought enthusiasm and integrity to everything he did. His love of art and particularly music (especially show tunes, jazz and big band) was a source of inspiration for all three of his sons who also pursued music. And let’s not forget how much he loved comedy (Smothers Brothers, Stan Freeburg, the Carol Burnet Show with Harvey Koreman & Tim Conway, and of course Sid Caesar and Mel Brooks). His life leaves a lasting imprint on the fields of environmental policy, conservation, journalism, and public service. More importantly, he leaves a legacy of love, curiosity, and commitment that will continue through his family and all who were fortunate to know him. A private family service will be held in the fall - date and location will be announced in the next month here and on social media and via emails and calls. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in Boyd's memory to the Nolan Gibbons Memorial Fund, a charity run by his son Warren and wife Sheila in honor of their son Nolan who passed at age 15 on August 18, 2020. The Nolan Gibbons Memorial Fund empowers and supports performing artists through grants and scholarships in support of their creative pursuits and passions. https://www.nolangibbons.org

Boyd Harrison Gibbons III

August 16, 1937 - July 30, 2026