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{{For|other people and places named Vince Whibbs|Vince Whibbs (disambiguation)}}{{Infobox Biography| subject_name =Vincent John Whibbs, Sr.| image_name =VinceWhibbs.jpg| image_size =200px| image_caption =| date_of_birth =[[February 8]], [[1920]]| place_of_birth =Buffalo, New York| date_of_death =[[May 30]], [[2006]]| place_of_death =Pensacola, Florida| occupation =Automobile dealer<br/>[[Pensacola City Council]]<br/>[[Mayor of Pensacola]]| religion =Catholic| spouse =[[Anna Marie Stuart Whibbs]]| parents =| children =[[Ann Whibbs Brown]]<br/>[[Vincent John Whibbs, Jr.]]<br/>[[William Joseph Whibbs]]<br/>[[Kathleen Whibbs Matthews]]<br/>[[Gregory Michael Whibbs, Sr.]]<br/>[[Mark Thomas Whibbs, Sr.]]<br/>[[John Paul Whibbs]]}}'''Vincent John Whibbs, Sr.''' ([[1920]]-[[2006]]) was an influential and respected a [[mayor of Pensacola]], businessman and civic leader.

Whibbs was elected to the Pensacola City Council in 1976 and served as Mayor of Pensacola for seven consecutive terms from 1977 to 1991, making him the longest serving mayor in Pensacola's history. Under his leadership a new Born [[Pensacola City Hall|City HallFebruary 8]] and police headquarters were constructed, [[Pensacola Regional Airport1920]] was expanded and [[downtown Pensacola]] began a redevelopment and resurgence. Upon retirementin Buffalo, New York, Vince Whibbs was formally recognized as Mayor Emeritus joined the Pontiac Motor Division of General Motors in 1940 while attending the City University of Pensacola, Buffalo. During World War II he served as a fighter pilot and then-Congressman [[Earl Hutto]] made a tribute to him before flight instructor with the U.S. Congress: "We will not forget your accomplishments and we will continue to revere you as our city's premier citizen. We share in your excitement about the days ahead. With all our love and respect, we say thank you, Mayor Whibbs. May God continue to bless youArmy Air Corps."

A native of Buffalo, N[[Image:VinceWhibbsPontiacSign.Y., jpg|thumb|left|Vince Whibbs joined in front of the Pontiac Motor Division of General Motors in 1940 while attending the University of Buffalo. During World War II dealership he served as a fighter pilot and flight instructor with the U.S. Army Air Corpsfounded. ]]He returned to the Pontiac Motor Division in 1946 and became a zone manager before resigning in [[1958 ]] to open [[Vince Whibbs Pontiac]] in Pensacola, Fla. Today the dealership is the Pensacola area dealer for Cadillac, Buick, Pontiac, GMC Truck and Saab. He was also the founder of Pacific Motor Co., a General Motors dealership in Taipei, Taiwan. Whibbs served as chairman of the board of [[AmSouth Banks Bank]]s of Florida and as a director of AmSouth Bank Corp. He also served on the board of directors of the [[Southern Company]], Georgia Power Co. Company and [[Gulf PowerCompany]] Co.

Whibbs will be forever known for his commitment to public service and was elected to his community. He served on the Board of Directors of the [[Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of CommerceCity Council]], the in [[Navy League1976]], and served as [[United Way Mayor of Escambia CountyPensacola]] for seven consecutive terms from [[1977]] and the to [[Fiesta of Five Flags1991]]. He served as Don Tristan DeLuna , making him the longest serving mayor in 1986Pensacola's history. He was on the board of trustees and served as vice president of the Under his leadership a new [[Naval Aviation Museum FoundationPensacola City Hall|City Hall]] and was past president of the Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce, [[Suburban Rotary ClubPensacola Police Headquarters|police headquarters]]were constructed, the [[Gulf Coast Council of the Boy Scouts of AmericaPensacola Regional Airport]] was expanded and [[Junior Achievementdowntown Pensacola]]began a redevelopment and resurgence. He Upon retirement, Whibbs was past chairman formally recognized as Mayor Emeritus of the City of Pensacola, and then-Congressman [[Sacred Heart Hospital BoardEarl Hutto]]. An honorary member of made a tribute to him before the [[U.S. Navy Blue Angels]], Whibbs was the recipient of the Florida Bar Association Liberty Bell Award, was the [[Civitan Club]]Congress: "We will not forget your accomplishments and we will continue to revere you as our city's Citizen of premier citizen. We share in your excitement about the Yeardays ahead. With all our love and respect, we say thank you, was awarded the Silver Antelope for service to Scouting and was a [[Rotary Paul Harris Fellow]]Mayor Whibbs. The Secretary of the Navy honored Whibbs with the Navy Superior Service Medal for his service May God continue to the Navy communitybless you."

A former member Whibbs is known for his commitment to public service and to the community. He served on the Board of Directors of the boards [[Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of trustees Commerce]], the [[Navy League]], [[United Way of Pensacola Junior College Escambia County]] and the University [[Fiesta of West FloridaFive Flags]], Whibbs in which he was crowned Don Tristan de Luna in [[1986]]. He was awarded an honorary doctorate by UWF for his many years on the board of trustees and served as vice president of public service. A devoted the [[Naval Aviation Museum Foundation]] and founding member was past president of the Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce, [[St. Paul's Catholic ChurchSuburban Rotary Club]], Whibbs the [[Gulf Coast Council of the Boy Scouts of America]] and [[Junior Achievement]]. He was appointed by Pope John Paul II as a Knight past chairman of Stthe [[Sacred Heart Hospital Board]]. Gregory in 1995. In the final months An honorary member of his life, he became a passionate advocate for the [[Community Maritime ParkU.S. Navy Blue Angels]] project, occupying Whibbs was the third principal position in recipient of the Florida Bar Association Liberty Bell Award, was the [[Community Maritime Park AssociatesCivitan Club]] group after 's Citizen of the death of his friendYear, was awarded the Silver Antelope for service to Scouting and was a [[Vice Admiral Jack FettermanRotary]]Paul Harris Fellow. The Secretary of the Navy honored Whibbs with the Navy Superior Service Medal for his service to the Navy community.

At age 86A former member of the boards of trustees of [[Pensacola Junior College]] and the [[University of West Florida]], Mayor Emeritus Whibbs passed away Tuesdaywas awarded an honorary doctorate by UWF for his many years of public service. A founding member of [[St. Paul's Catholic Church]], May 30Whibbs was appointed by Pope John Paul II as a Knight of St. Gregory in [[1995]]. In the final months of his life, 2006 at he became a passionate advocate for the [[Community Maritime Park]] project, occupying the third principal position in the [[Community Maritime Park Associates]] group after the death of his Pensacola homefriend, [[Vice Admiral Jack Fetterman]].