Gregory Giesing

Groton - Gregory D. Giesing, 25, died Saturday, May 27, 2006, at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in New London, taken from this earth too early along with his stepbrother Derek VonWinkle.

He was born in New London on July 31, 1980, the son of Brian Giesing of New London and Rae Leonard Giesing of Mystic.

He was a loving husband to Laurel Hugh Giesing of Groton. He would do anything for the people he cared about.

Greg was born with Spina Bifida and was confined to a wheelchair all his life. He never thought anything about it except as his method of transportation. His famous quote was "I tried walking once, it's over rated." Greg was a child who lit up every life he touched and grew into a man who others sought out for guidance and advice. A wise and compassionate man he was, to know him was a privilege. Greg was an accomplished guitar player who loved to play any chance he got and wanted nothing more that to share his music with the world. He was also determined to compete in the Boston Marathon and beat the six-time first place record holder in 2008.

Greg was very into the Wiccan religion for over 13 years and got married to Laurel by those beliefs.

He also was a member of the Challenger Baseball League and participated and soared at wheelchair racing in Glastonbury. He had worked as a Black Jack dealer at Foxwoods, and also in the electronics department at Wal Mart in Norwich and before that at the Ames store in Lisbon.

Besides his wife and parents he is survived by three brothers, Jason, Anthony and Evan Giesing; a sister, Casey Giesing; a stepbrother, Anthony VonWinkle; his paternal grandparents, William F. and Marie Giesing, of Clinton; his maternal grandmother, Beverly Simpson, of Norwich; his stepfather, Charles Draughon, of Groton; and his stepmother, Linda Giesing, of New London. Greg also leaves nephews and niece, Gabriel, Nigel and Emma Giesing as well as a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and adopted brothers and sisters, too many to name, all too precious to forget.

A Graveside Service will be held on Wednesday morning, June 7, at 9 o'clock at Smith Lake Cemetery, Groton. Visiting hours will be on Tuesday evening from 5 until 8 o'clock at the Byles-Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames St.

Donations in his memory may be directed to the Spina Bifida Association, 4590 MacArthur Blvd., NW Suite 250, Washington, DC 20007.

Please visit www.byles.com for online obituary, directions or to send a condolence note to the family.