RCE Band Sergeant Major, Edward Gerard Gibney

We regret to advise of the death of RCE Band Sergeant Major, Edward Gerard Gibney (Ret’d) peacefully on 28 March 2006 at the age of 90.

Edward bandmaster in WW II with the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry before transferring to the Royal Canadian Engineers Band while in England.  The Band moved to Italy where it entertained not only the troops but the liberated Italian population.  The band next moved to The Netherlands where it was involved in post-war celebrations as part of the Canadian Army Occupation Force.  It is here that Edward became the band’s first Canadian band master before returning to England where the band was disbanded in 1946.

After his repatriation, Edward taught music his entire working life until his retirement in 1970.  He taught privately in Port Alberni BC; formed his own 17 piece band; taught in local schools; organized musical shows and choirs; founded the Alberni Valley Choral Society; conducted the Nanaimo City Concert Band (the oldest concert band in Canada); and taught at Lord Byng Secondary School in Vancouver.  He wrote ’Prelude To Brass Playing’ in collaboration with legendary trumpet virtuoso Rafael Mendez.  Edward was an active volunteer for the Save The Children Fund.

A Celebration of Life will be held on 1 April at the Four Seasons Hotel, 791 W. Georgia St, Vancouver - Seasons Room.  Condolences may be sent to www.edgibney.com. ^{{gdMar2016kh}}