William "Gibby" Sweet

Rockland Sports Legend Dies

William Gibson "Gibby" Sweet, 75, of Pearl River and Congers, N.Y. passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family and friends, Aug. 13, 2025 at the Joe Raso Hospice in New City, N.Y., following a long and courageous battle against Melanoma.

Gibby was born Nov. 24, 1949 in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, the son of William G. and Rosemary (Stringer) Sweet, while his Dad was attending college on the post-WWII G.I. Bill. He attended Pearl River schools, graduating in 1968, where he became an outstanding athlete in track, football, and wrestling.

As a wrestler, Gibby won two Rockland County championship titles, two Section 9 titles, and won the state championship in 1968 at the NYSPHSAA Intersectional Wrestling tournament in the 165 lb. weight class. Of course, everyone remembers when the Central Avenue theater displayed his name and Championship title after he won! He was named the Journal News Wrestler of the Year, with a final record of 20-1. A well-rounded athlete, Gibby also excelled at track, breaking the school record in the 440 yard dash, as well as displaying his blazing fast speed on the football field. In track, he won both the Rockland County and Section 9 championships, making him one of the very few to win Section 9 championships in two sports.

Gibby was proud to have been inducted into the Rockland County Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.

During his time at R.C.C., Gibby continued to excel, winning All American status in track, wrestling, and academics. He earned a wrestling scholarship to Indiana State University, where he continued to excel in collegiate wrestling, going undefeated for two years, with only two losses in his four-year career, earning NCAA Division I All American status. During his graduate studies toward his Masters in Education at ISU, he continued wrestling for the U.S. International team and was an alternate for the World Cup team.

Following his graduation, Gibby became the wrestling coach for Tappan Zee High School, inspiring his wrestlers to three County Team Titles, an 87-10 record, and was named Rockland County Coach of the year in 1975, '76, and '77.

A very handsome guy, Gibby began his post-teaching career as a successful model, which he then segued into an acting career, appearing in several soap operas and police procedural dramas, but his proudest part was on the tv show "Kate and Allie" as one of the ladies dates in the  episode "Troy" which aired in 1989.

Gibby also brought his sense of competition and excellence in sport to the game of golf. As good as he was during his High School and College sports careers, his real love and métier was found in chasing the perfect game of golf. He rose to professional status, enjoying playing at courses all over the world, often accompanied by his brothers John and Ted on golf trips to Ireland. Gibby's proudest moment in golfing was when he played the Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland.

Gibby is survived by his heartbroken brothers and sister, John Sweet of Haverstraw, Deborah Sweet of New City, and Ted Sweet of Cornwall; Nieces, Sara and Casey Mayo, and Jamie Sweet; Nephews, Matthew, John and Joe Sweet, and Shane Mayo, along with hundreds of friends and admirers. Special mention must be made of Gibby's good friend John Laurenzi, who helped care for Gibby during his final years.

Visitation will be held at Wyman-Fisher Funeral Home, 100 Franklin Ave., Pearl River, N.Y., on Sat. Aug. 23 from 4 to 7 p.m., followed by a gathering for friends and family at the Pearl River Saloon from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Interment will be on Mon., Aug. 25, at 11 a.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery in Nyack, N.Y., where Gibby will be laid to rest with our beloved Mom, Rosie.

The family asks that donations be made to the Joe Raso Hospice Residence in New City, or to the Trust for the Benefit of William G. Sweet, P.O. Box 212, Congers, N.Y. 10920