Albert D. Hibbard

Albert D. HibbardAs sad as we are, we are glad for and are celebrating the life of this gentle man who died at age 85 after a short stay at the Grand Islander Center in Middletown, RI.Born in Norwood, MA, Al was the elder son of the late Perley N. and Grace M. (Bargh) Hibbard.After living a short time in Dedham, MA, his family moved to Bennington, VT, and Al grew up on Flying Feather Farm, his family's poultry farm. He graduated from Bennington High School in 1947 and Pennsylvania State College (now Pennsylvania State University) in 1951 with a bachelor's degree in poultry husbandry. After graduation, Al worked with his father on the family farm for seven years. In 1957, Al married Ann R. Gill of Pawtucket, RI. He worked for Wirthmore Feeds for seven years, and then for ISA Babcock Poultry (Ithaca, NY) for more than 30 years. While at Babcock, Al traveled to many countries around the world and lived in Sweden for three years with Ann and their children, and later, for one year in France with Ann. In addition to living on Prudence Island for the past 32 years, Al and his family also lived in Pennsylvania and in the Finger Lakes region of New York.Besides his wife of 57 years, Al is survived by two daughters, Katherine Hibbard of Prudence Island and Beth Hibbard Oman of Michigan, his nieces Wendy Hibbard of Connecticut, Melinda Kruder of Illinois and Susan Pepper of Colorado, his sister in law Marietta L. Hibbard, who lives on the family farm in Bennington; his brother in law Stephen Gill of Prudence Island and numerous cousins.Al is predeceased by his brother, Samuel N. Hibbard.Calling hours will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2015, from 10:00am-12:30pm, at the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth.A Celebration of his life will be held on Prudence Island this summer.Burial will be private.In lieu of flowers, donations in Al's memory may be made to the RII Community Food Bank, 200 Niantic Avenue, Providence, RI 02907 (http://www.rifoodbank.org/) or the Prudence Island Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 305 Prudence Island, RI 02872 (http://www.pivfd.org/).