Brian Gibney, 86, of Sandy Hook, Conn., passed away peacefully on the morning of August 3rd at Church Hill Village in Newtown, Conn.United States on a transatlantic journey across the pond to his new job and home in Connecticut. Here he worked as an electrical engineer at Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, Conn., from 1968 until his retirement in 1992. During his time at Sikorsky he also contracted for Ames Research Center in Mountain View, Calif., and Langley Research Center in Newport News, Va. He and his family remained in Sandy Hook until 2006, when he moved to Brookfield, Conn. He later spent time living in both Barkhamsted and Southbury before returning to Newtown several years ago.

Brian was born in Leeds, England on July 23rd, 1937, the son of Edward and Violet (Clayforth) Gibney. He was a bright young student who enjoyed mathematics and puzzles. Always one to better himself he attended night school to finish his studies in London.

While in London he met his wife Daphne (Gibbs) at her family’s bed and breakfast. He spent several years living with his young family in Oadby, England, before accepting employment in the United States to live the American Dream.

In 1968 he left England with his family aboard SS

Brian Gibney was predeceased by his wife, Daphne, a 54-year resident of Newtown. He is survived by his sons David and his wife, April, in the high Sierras of California and Jonathan and his wife, Janine, in Southbury, Conn.; and grandchildren, Blake and Jesse; his nephews and nieces in Leeds, England, and his partner Denise Linden, and her sons, daughter and grandchildren in Southbury, Conn.

Brian was committed to community service and local volunteer work. This included involvement with the Cyrenius H. Booth Library Book Sale for decades, Jaycees and several PTAs, Newtown Orchestra Parents, 4-H Club, and The Fresh Air Fund. He loved cricket, rugby and soccer, coaching the latter in Newtown through the 1980s.

An avid reader of non-fiction and lover of nature and birds, a quiet read was often preferred to more social endeavors. Despite this, no one would ever accuse him of shying from a good intellectual discussion. He was a constant writer to The Newtown Bee’s editorial pages. He was a man of libraries, book stores and parks.

He loved the National and State Parks as well as travel, spending time in both the UK and Europe. Brian believed the best music was written before 1750 and that it remained tolerable through the early 1820s. Having an incredible understanding of mathematics and physics, his biggest regret was passing before the detection and identification of Dark Matter.

A private celebration of his life is planned in Leeds, England, next year.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Lillinonah Audubon, PO Box 791, Southbury CT 06488. Lillinonah Audubon, PO Box 791, Southbury, CT 06488.