A Gift of a Lifetime

Following graduation from the University of New Hampshire and completion of studies at the Universidad de Navarra in Pamplona, Spain, in 1972, Jay Gibson ’68 started his banking career at a single-office bank in Portsmouth, N.H. Throughout his 40 year career, he held most positions at the bank, including president/CEO for his last 12 years.

Jay and his wife, MaryPat, live in New Castle, N.H. They enjoy an active life traveling, volunteering, and spending time with family.

Arriving at Lawrence Academy in September of 1964 happened quite unexpectedly for me. I lived in the small town of South Hampton, N.H., attending Barnard Elementary School. There were four teachers for eight grades, one of whom, the late Terry Marinos ’54, was also principal. Terry encouraged my parents to have me apply to Lawrence. Financially, my parents had never contemplated private school as an option, but I applied and was offered a working scholarship.

Attending Lawrence was the best thing that could have happened to me. We could not have predicted that the high school I would have attended would burn flat to the ground that summer. My public school option would have been 45 minutes away, at the recently vacated old Haverhill High School. LA instilled study and reading skills, plus a work ethic that prepared me so well for college and beyond. Academically, Joe Sheppard, Dick Gagné, and Hal Sheets sparked my love for foreign languages. Dick Pickering developed my writing skills, and Bob Shepherd drilled us on vocabulary and public speaking (and don’t forget impeccable manners at the dinner table!).

My years at LA offered me a foundation of experiences and values that gave me a future with purpose and satisfaction in my career, family life, and community service. The one experience I missed was Winterim. It has been transformative for students, going beyond the education my classmates and I received in the 1960s. My wife and I have chosen to focus our charitable giving to support financial aid for Winterim and the endless opportunities it provides.

The Amos and William Lawrence Society was established to recognize those individuals who have made a charitable planned gift to Lawrence Academy or have made known their intentions to include Lawrence Academy in their wills or estate plans. Donors who have made financial or estate plans of any size through wills, trusts, and other planned gifts are recognized for their loyal and lasting support of the school.

For more information about The Amos and William Lawrence Society: contact Jo-Ann Lovejoy, chief advancement officer, at jlovejoy@lacademy.edu or visit www.lacademy.planningyourlegacy.org.