Richard Geiler
North Stonington — Richard “Dick” Geiler died peacefully March 9, 2023, in his North Stonington home after 90 years of dedicated service to his family, country and community. He was born in Fountain Hill, Pa., on Jan. 8, 1933, and was the only son of the late Richard E. and Freida (Oertel) Geiler.
He attended Fountain Hill High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17. He served in the Navy for 27 years aboard the USS Becuna, USS Ethan Allen, and USS Dace until his honorable discharge as a petty officer first class radioman in 1977. Dick excelled as a radioman and gained the respect of his fellow Navy brothers, in part, from his childhood influences of growing up in a German-speaking home during World War II.
Dick married his first and only love, Ann Marie (Armellino) Geiler July 3, 1954. They had three children and celebrated nearly 65 years of marriage before Ann Marie’s death in 2019.
Dick was very proud of his log cabin home that he built in North Stonington in 1972, and his company, the Eastern Connecticut Craftsman. For over 20 years, he completed countless home improvement projects for New London County residents as a selftrained master carpenter. He was never too busy to help his family, friends and neighbors with a project, demolition or remodel and enjoyed teaching his craft to anyone who wanted to learn. Following his retirement from the Navy, and his carpentry business, he stayed busy as a hotel bartender and by traveling, making home videos to commemorate family and special occasions, and spending time with his family and beloved basset hound Sophie. Dick was a member of the North Stonington Volunteer Ambulance Association and was actively involved in town politics, the North Stonington Agricultural Fair and the Billings Lake Association for decades.
Dick is survived by his children, Donna Cole (Tommie), Richard T. Geiler (Carol) and Dee Zisk (Brian Lorenz). He was the patriarch of a large family, including six grandchildren and their spouses: Jeremey Williamson, Jessica Fayle, Benjamin Donnelly, Heather Avery, Stephannie Cole and Rickie Geiler: and five great-grandchildren: Jameson and Lauren Studinski, Owen and Lia Williamson and Blake Donnelly. Many nieces, nephews, bonus grandchildren and an extended family in Pennsylvania are mourning the loss of their “Pop” and “Uncle Dick.” He is also survived by his sister Eleanor Gale; and brotherin-law Anthony Armellino.
The family thanks the tremendous and thoughtful care Pop received from the Hartford HealthCare Hospice at Home team, especially Lenore, Julie, Jim and Sara, and the support from his caring neighbors, Kyle, Scott and Mike. With their help, the family was able to honor Pop’s wish to stay in his home through the end of his life.
To celebrate Pop’s fulfilling life, kindly consider a donation to St. Jude’s Hospital, an organization he supported for many years. The family will receive family and friends from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, at Mystic Funeral Home, located on Route 1 (51 Williams Ave.) in Mystic, with a funeral service to begin at 5:45 p.m. His burial with military honors will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 23, at Eggleston Cemetery, Route 201, North Stonington.