SOUTH BEND - Thomas X. Gibbo, 53, of Burlington, Vermont, and South Bend, Indiana, passed away Monday, April 9. He was born March 12, 1954, in Burlington, Vermont, to Mrs. Barbara and Mr. Royal "Bud" Gibbo, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Suzanne Gibbo, to whom he was devoted and cherished. He is also survived by Tim Gibbo and his wife, Tina. Their three children are Tyler Gibbo Sessions and Nate Sessions (child Kai), Shawn Gibbo and Christopher Gibbo. He is also survived by another brother, Todd Gibbo, and his wife, Nikki, and by his sister, Mary Teresa Gibbo. He will be greatly missed by his stepdaughter, Anne Feicke, her husband, Jon, and their three children, Elizabeth, Emily and Benjamin, Thom's beloved grandchildren to whom he was also devoted.

Thom had a master's degree in counseling from Indiana University in South Bend and had attended Marlboro College in Burlington, Vermont. His passion for helping and caring for others is reflected in the career he chose in counseling others. His employment began as a Prevention Counselor at the South Bend Community School Corporation. He was Director of Inpatient Services, Coordinator of Addictions Services and Outpatient Counselor at Madison Center in South Bend, Coordinator in Outpatient Services at Renaissance Center for Addictions Services in South Bend, a family counseling private practice in Mishawaka, and was a School Counselor at the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation in Mishawaka. He was licensed as a Mental Health Counselor, Social Worker, and Masters Addictions Counselor. He was also an Indiana Certified Addictions Counselor.

He was a member of the National Association of Addictions Professionals, The Elkhart Area Addictions Providers Coalition, where he was co-chair, secretary and board member. He was the secretary of the Michiana Coalition on Alcohol and Other Drugs and was a board member of the Indiana Counselors Association on Alcohol and Other Drugs. He was the vice president and secretary of the Elkhart County American Cancer Society. His dedication to others called him to be a volunteer/trainer at the Youth Services Bureau in Elkhart County. He found fulfillment by volunteering at the Hope Rescue Mission in South Bend.

After Thom came to South Bend, he met Suzanne, with whom he shared his love of music, the arts and travel. They both traveled to China, to which he had hoped to return some day. Their travels would often include visits to family in Vermont, Tennessee, Martha's Vineyard, Texas and Mexico. Thom and Suzanne also enjoyed visits to Niagara Falls and Canada, which included a favorite destination, Quebec. What made travel interesting for Thom was to meet and learn about the people.

There will be a calling at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 14, followed by a service at 2 p.m. in the McGann Hay, Granger Chapel, 13260 SR 23, enter off Cherry Road, Granger, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Thom's memory to CAPs, Child and Parent Services. The address is 1000 West Hively Avenue, Elkhart, IN 46517. Also, donation envelopes for CAPs will be available after the memorial service.

Published in the South Bend Tribune on 4/13/2007.