Born in Dover, Ohio, Mitch was small in stature but his gigantic personality, humor, and compassion for helping others made him an awesome human. His giving heart, service to our community and most of all, love and acceptance touched so many souls. After a 3-year battle with Pancreatic Cancer he passed in the arms of his husband.

As one of his darling friends shared, “The light feels just a bit dimmer without him here, such a dear and dedicated friend who is already missed beyond measure”.

Mitch served in the US Navy at NASWI and completed two around the world tours on the USS Carl Vincent. After his Navy career he worked with Johnson & Johnson Medical for many years in St. Petersburg, Florida where he met his soulmate and future husband, Rich Gibson. They visited Whidbey Island for a marathon in 2007 and then relocated to Oak harbor in 2008 with Mitch’s mother, Marlene Colby Incarnato, who had early dementia and passed away in 2015.

Mitch is survived by his husband Rich Gibson (Kerri & Brad Fuller) (Ron & Vicki Gibson); sisters: Holly (Rick) Flickinger, Lavella Incarnato of New Philadelphia, Ohio; nephew: Justin Incarnato (Brenda) their family: (Cameron, Loren, Gabby, Brendan, Ben) of Kenmore, Washington; nephews, Cameron Flickinger (Tyson) Eric Flickinger (Bre, Arika, Parker) of Dover, Ohio. ; niece , Keilah Capriola of Sarasota, Florida.

Mitch volunteered with 13 organizations: Kids First Island County, Guardian ad Litem – advocating for at risk children; EQX Equine Therapy; Animal Stranding Network and Orca Network; Gifts from the Heart Food Bank (Drill Team); CampErin Bereavement Camp; Sound Water Stewards; Langley Whale Center; Hearts and Hammers; Northwest Hospice, Whidbey Health Hospice; End of Life Washington. In 2019 he received the Linda Lee Martens Community Hero Award.

His passion for life soared when helping kids or serving breakfast at HomePlace to the elderly residents; collecting data with Beach Watchers, Orca stewardship or doing handstands / vaulting on Kirby his favorite EQX horse. He was always larger than life in the Coupeville Parades entertaining the crowds as one of the Chip & Dale characters. Mitch loved hiking and running the trails of the Olympic Peninsula and North Cascades.

He was famous for baking scrumptious sweet treats & yeasty breads to share with everyone.

He was an avid E-Bay shopper and collected many unique items – Radko&Polonaise Christmas ornaments, Parian hand vases and Rolf Armstrong vintage calendar prints as well as vintage toys. He always brought joy to everyone as he gave the “guided tour” of our home museum sharing precise details on the origin and beauty of each piece.

Thank you to Whidbey Health Hospice, Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Whidbey Dental Associates who advocated and supported us during this journey. A Celebration of Life will be held in the Fall.

Remembrances can be made through contributions to Kids First Island County or Gifts from the Heart Food Bank. Mitch would want each of us to “be a little kinder – we all are facing our own challenges —take a moment, celebrate yourself, and give at least an 8 second hug to your loved ones and friends. Make every day count – Live a Great Story!