Son of Francis Thomas Gilboy and Virginia Houlihan Gilboy of Scranton, PA.
Tom was married to and beloved by his wife Lynda Gilboy for 40 years. Their son Charles S. Hills and wife Stacia W. Hills of Johns and Wadmalaw Islands, South Carolina. They had one grandson Chase A. Hills who just gave his grandparents the gift of his graduation from the Univ. of S.C.
Tom is survived by his sister Laurel A. Rourke of S.C., cousins Kathleen Houlihan and husband Paul Heher of Allentown, PA., cousins Patty and Charles Heyer, of NJ. His god children Megan Heyer Monks and Kevin Heyer. Susan and Don Sanders of Minnesota. His cousins Christine and Mike Ippolliti, Gerald and Sandy Gallagher. He loved his dear friends as family Richard and Ann Lavelle Powell, Esq. of Scranton, PA and their two sons Richard Powell Jr. Esq and his wife Alicia Lam, Esq. and John J. Powell, Esq. and bride Rachel Shustak, MD. Pediatric cardiologist at Childrenâs Hospital Philadelphia. Tom loved their dear friends Jim and Linda Krut of Gettysburg and Philip and Lynn McDonald of Fairfield, PA. Lynda and Tom have lived here in Gettysburg for 30 years.
Tom was the most kind, gentle person. Those that knew him well loved him. He was sincere, polite and a gentle soul that loved his cats regardless of his allergies. He loved all animals but if you said lets get a dog he would remind you that cats do not need to be walked in the snow.
Tom graduate from Jesuit schools in Clarks Summit, Pa and Scranton Prep in 1967 , He received his Bachelors from the University of Scranton in 1972. He received his Masters from Georgetown University in 1974 and doctorate A.B.D. from the University of Maryland. Tom spent his 42 year career with Homeland Security, FEMA, and itâs predecessor agency. He was dedicated to helping people during catastrophic disasters beginning with the Hurricane Hazel flooding in 1972 in Wilkes Barre, PA. He developed emergency management career programs for the U.S. Government, and the countries of Turkey and Japan during the Earthquake disasters and Hurricanes in the U.S. He loved helping Americans recover after disasters with the desire to prevent future disasters..
Tom was a talented photographer.and travelled the world. Sadly, he lost his 15 year battle with hereditary heart disease after open heart surgery in 2008. He had hereditary wet macular degeneration and received shots in both eyes every few months for ten years. He lived a happy, wonderful life.
This obituary was originally published here.