Donald Clayton Kibbe

Donald C. Kibbe, 77, of Seekonk, Massachusetts, passed away June 2, 2020, after a courageous struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease for the past several years.  He was the husband of Vivian A. (Keable) Kibbe, his wife of 54 years.  Mr. Kibbe was born in Providence, R.I., the son of the late Clayton Kibbe and Eunice (Buttle) Kibbe.

Mr. Kibbe, his father, and his late brother, Carl H. Kibbe, operated a family business, the former Kibbe Milk Transportation Co. in Warwick, R.I. He later worked in the truck service department at Nelson’s Inc. in Burrillville, R.I., for many years, and he retired from Pascale Service Corp. in Pawtucket, R.I. in 2006.

Mr. Kibbe raced stock cars on the New England circuit in the 1960s and early 1970s, where his red #14 modified was a familiar presence in victory lane. With his father and brother as crew members, Mr. Kibbe raced regularly at the former Norwood Arena, where he was a track champion, and at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl.  After stepping away from the wheel, Mr. Kibbe continued working as a crew member on race cars with his family for the next three decades, as his brother, Carl, became one of the top car owners in the Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA).

Mr. Kibbe was devoted to his wife, Vivian, his two children and five grandchildren. He enjoyed trips to Florida and Cape Cod, as well as simple times spent with family. He took great joy in retirement, serving as a babysitter and driver for his grandchildren. Mr. Kibbe was raised to be humble and honest, and carried those values with him in every endeavor of his life.

Besides his wife, Vivian, Donald is survived by his children; David Kibbe and his wife Gwendolyn of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Lynne Mello and her husband Craig of Seekonk, Massachusetts. Donald is also survived by his grandchildren, Sydney Mello, Luke Mello, Lyla Mello, Penelope Kibbe and Olivia Kibbe.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial for Donald on Wednesday, June 10th at 10:00 am in Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church, Coyle Drive, Seekonk. His burial will be in St. Stephen’s Cemetery, Attleboro, Massachusetts. Relatives and friends are invited. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Kibbe’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in his memory.