New London – Father Geoffrey Chase, 92, died Aug. 1, 2023, at Beechwood Manor in New London. Peter was the oldest son of John and Rosemary Chase and grandson of suffragette Mary Morrisson. Born Peter Reeves Chase, in New York City in 1931, he grew up in Groton, and graduated at the top of his high school class at the Portsmouth Priory School in Rhode Island. At Yale, Peter majored in mathematics and Greek, graduating in 1952 with honors (Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi, and the Math Prize).

That September, Peter entered a Benedictine monastery in Portsmouth, R.I., and chose his religious name of Geoffrey in honor of a younger brother who died in infancy. He was ordained a priest in 1959. His advanced studies were done at the Collegio di St Anselmo in Rome, and Catholic University in Washington D.C., where he received a licentiate in Moral Theology and a master's degree in Semitic languages. He remained at the Portsmouth Abbey for the next half century, teaching math, theology and semitic languages, and establishing a computer center and a radio station at the school. He also served in local parishes and, being fluent in seven languages, led pilgrimages to the shrines at Medjugorje and Lourdes.

Peter was the oldest of six children. His surviving siblings are Jim (Joyce Beauregard) Chase of Short Beach, Julia Chase-Brand (George Brand) of New London, Bill Chase (Pat Lynch), of Sunset Beach, N.C., and Charlie Chase (Donna Dubois) of Montville.

Father G, as he was affectionately known, will be remembered for a half century of officiating at family weddings and funerals and helping the younger generation choose prep schools and colleges. We, sibs are particularly grateful for big brother taking us on yearly road-trips to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. His Benedictine brothers value his lifetime of service to their community, and his students will remember him as a learned teacher and caring housefather. His faithful friend Debbie Arruda, and everyone else will remember him for his kindness, wisdom, and terrible puns!

A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, at the Portsmouth Abbey in Portsmouth, R.I., followed by a reception. All are welcome.

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Published by The Day on Aug. 8, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Geoffrey Chase

4 Entries

John Plummer

August 13, 2023

A great man and priest! Always helped out whoever needed it. A true mentor to my friend Erik! A man ahead of his time regarding technology - I played my first computer games in his computer lab at the Abbey. He will be missed!

Sarah Dempsey

August 10, 2023

Jim met Fr. G around 1974 when the school purchased a computer from Educomp where Jim worked. It began a life long friendship. Fr. G vacationed at our home in Oshkosh for a number of years. He enjoyed boating and time with our three sons. We appreciated hearing his homilies and voice when he gave other priests time off. He bought our oldest son, Patrick, his first pocket knife when he was six years old. Patrick got other tools, too. Fr. G introduced us to Bert & I and A Time of Wonder by Robert McCloskey (read in Fr. G's special voice). One year Deb Arruda came with. We all had a wonderful time together. Our friendship has continued over the many years. We enjoyed our visits with him in New London. We will miss him very much. Jim and Sarah Dempsey and Patrick, Peter, and Steven

Jolene (Beauregard) Ruffo

August 9, 2023

I remember Father Geoffrey well as he was my brother´s -in-law, James Chase´s, brother. To state Father Geoffrey was brilliant is an understatement. I offer my sympathy to all the Chase brothers and Julia on the death of their eldest sibling. May Father Geoffrey live on in their memories as he lives his eternal life.

Maureen Moser

August 8, 2023

I will always remember Father Geoffrey's kindness to me as a college and graduate student. He was brilliant and insightful as a mentor and a friend, and he listened to my questions and struggles. I was fortunate to know him and wish I had seen more of him in these past years since he said my wedding mass in 1996. May he rest in peace.

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