James (Jim) M Gebler, 25 year resident of Guilford, passed away March 11th. He was the beloved husband of Judith Gebler. Jim was born on April 22nd 1940 in Buffalo, NY son of the late Garrison and Kathryn Gebler.

He was the loving father of Sarah Soule (Philip) of Cumberland, Maine and Lisa Sitze (Richard) of Round Rock, Texas. Jim was the proud grandfather (Pop) of Johan Clorius and Isabelle Soule of Maine. He is also survived by his brother Garry Gebler of Rome, NY.

Jim was a graduate of SUNY Fredonia in Music Education. He also studied and assisted Dr. Arthur Benade at Case Western Reserve in Musical Acoustics. His teaching career began with General Music for Junior High School students and then led to teaching Musical Instrument Repair at colleges and universities throughout the country.

He had written articles published in the "Woodwind Quarterly " and held a US patent for Saxophone Key Design. Jim was a proud member and soloist of the Coast Guard Band in New London, CT during the Vietnam war.

Before his retirement, Jim was the owner of Fine Band Repairs in Guilford and New Haven. He helped many young and older musicians by servicing their woodwind and brass instruments.

Jim was a practicing Buddhist and meditated daily for most if his life, having begun his studies at Naropa Institute in Boulder, Colo.

He enjoyed a variety of music and food, Ikebana (Japanese Flower Arrangement) and traveling with his wife. He had many loving pets, most recently, his cats Coco and Eddie.

Sincere thanks go to the staff at the Orchard House in Branford, the Watrous Nursing Center in Madison and Dr. Susan Kashaf and the many caring people at the VA Medical Facility in West Haven for their invaluable support.

There will be a memorial gathering to celebrate Jim's life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, his family would encourage those who knew him to perform an act of kindness or compassion in his memory.

The Hawley Lincoln Memorial, 1315 Boston Post Rd., Guilford is in charge of arrengements.