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Retired North Haven Police Captain Hayes W. Gibson, Jr., 93, of North Haven, passed away peacefully on May 20 at the Whitney Manor, Hamden. He was the beloved husband of Josepha H. Story. He was born in New Haven on Sept. 14, 1926, the son of the late Hayes W. Gibson, Sr., and Clara B. Evans Gibson.

He served his country faithfully in the US Army during WWII. Captain Gibson joined the North Haven Police Department in 1957 and was the town's first black police officer, and the first in any New Haven suburb. He was promoted to sergeant inspector and then captain. He genuinely enjoyed the traffic division; it got him outside where he enjoyed meeting and talking to many of the town's residents. He served 32 years with the department and later Captain Gibson was voted to serve on the Board of the North Haven Town Police Commissioners.

Besides police work, two things were always close to his heart, sports and children. He pulled the two together when he formed the Unknown Seven basketball team to give black youth in town something to do. During his retirement, Captain Gibson worked at the Oakdale Theater in Wallingford doing what he loved, directing traffic. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, was an avid golfer, and enjoyed animals, especially his dogs.

He was the stepfather of Martha Corazzini and the late Susan Gibson; and the brother of Ella, Wilbert, and the late Sara, Willa-Mae, Anna, Mamie, Helen, and Margaret. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

A graveside service was conducted on May 23 at the Center Cemetery, Elm Street, North Haven. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to an animal charity of one's choice. The Havens Family, North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Ave., was entrusted with the arrangements. For an online obituary, visit www.northhavenfuneral.com.