David Gibbons (politician)

Gibbons was born on 15 June 1927. He had an elder brother, Graham, who also became a politician and businessman, as well as a sister. He attended The Hotchkiss School where he met William Clay Ford Sr., whom he later contacted to become agents for Ford in Bermuda. He ran the family business with his brother Graham, which he inherited from his father Edmund. In 1954 Gibbons became the chief executive officer of Edmund Gibbons Ltd, and as of 2011 still served in that position. He managed to strengthen and expand the business in Bermuda and abroad. Gibbons served as chairman of the Butterfield Bank from 1975 to 1984. ==Political career==

In 1972 Gibbons was elected to House of Assembly of Bermuda. Two years later, in 1974, he was asked by Premier Edward Richards to serve as Minister of Health, to which he agreed. In the mid-1970s he helped with insurance law that made the country more attractive to US business. And in 1977 he was one the mayor proponents of the Insurance Act. He served for the United Bermuda Party. As Premier he dealt with the riots in 1977 after the hanging of two men convicted of the assassination of Governor Richard Sharples. As Premier Gibbons also had to deal with a general strike in 1981. Gibbons' term as premier ended on 15 January 1982. Swan stated that under the guidance of Gibbons the legal framework for Bermuda's reinsurance and international business sector was laid. Gibbons was an opponent of Bermudian independence from the United Kingdom, citing the free costs for defence and diplomacy as advantages. ==Post-political life==

In 1986 Gibbons became chairman of the Colonial Insurance Company. He became director of the Nordic American Tanker Shipping in 1995. In 2011 he called the Labour government under Paula Cox incompetent stating the government racked up large debts. ==Personal life==

Gibbons had a daughter from his first marriage. He was subsequently married to Lully Gibbons with whom he had three more sons. Gibbons died at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital after a short illness on 30 March 2014, aged 86. His memorial took place at Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Bermuda and was presided over by bishop Nick Dill with a eulogy given by Gibbons's two sons and his successor as Premier and friend, John Swan. ==References==