Richard C. Geis

Richard C. "Dick" Geis, 72, of Bayonne, N.J., died peacefully on July 21. 2011, in the arms of his companion, Ellen Nerbak, while on vacation in Vermont. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the viewing on Thursday from 12 to 3 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. at Saint Vincent's R.C. Church, 979 Avenue C, Bayonne, N.J. The family will gather at church on Friday from 10 to 11 a.m., and a Funeral Mass will be offered at 11 a.m. A private cremation will follow. Arrangements are by the G. Keenen O'Brien Funeral Home, Inc., Bayonne. Richard was born in Bayonne and resided there until his death. He was a veteran who served with honor in the United States Navy on the Destroyer Leader Willis A. Lee (DL4). An educator for 33 years, his passion for teaching began in Hillside, N.J. He transferred to Cranford High School, where he spent the majority of his career teaching special needs children. Dick's desire to help the mentally and physically challenged led him to work at the Bayonne Ability Day Camp during the summers. Through the camp, Dick began a friendship with the late Al Slooksky, leading him to be involved in the formation of the Special Olympics in the late 1960s. Those early efforts marked the foundation of what was to become the worldwide Special Olympics of today. He served with many titles, including state swim coordinator, and retired with close to 40 years of dedicated service. Some of his other joys in life included collecting sports memorabilia and Walt Disney pins, the Sea Scouts (Ship 25), and the Boy Scouts (Troop 25), where he served as treasurer and was the recipient of the Silver Beaver Award for distinguished service. Richard was the devoted son of the late Lucie (nee Vreeland) and Edward Geis; loving husband of the late Winette (nee Koons); beloved companion of Ellen Nerbak of Mansfield, N.J.; cherished father of Diana Listner of Virginia Beach, Va., Richard E. Geis of Bayonne, and Randy S. Geis and his wife, Jennifer, of Cranford, N.J.; dear brother of Carl, Robert, David, and the late Edward Geis; dear brother-in-law of Scotty Koons, and adoring grandfather of Richard, Samuel, Rachel, Anna, Sara, Griffin and Peyton. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his memory to Friends of the Handicapped, P.O. Box 866, Bayonne, N.J., 07002. (Envelopes will be available at church).