John M Geise

South Burlington - John Merritt Geise, passed away peacefully on November 23, 2025, at home. He was born in Elmira, NY on May 1, 1949, to Helen J. (Jacobs) Geise and Carl J. Geise.
He graduated from Elmira Free Academy (1967) and Cornell University (1971) where he was a member of Sphinx Head Senior Men's Honorary. He studied in the MBA programs of Syracuse University and UVM.
He played three sports in high school - football, baseball, and basketball. Baseball was his first love, and he went on to play baseball at Cornell, earning All-Ivy and All-East honors as a senior pitcher. He signed a professional contract with the Eastern League Elmira (AA) Kansas City Royals minor league team, winning the 1971 league championship.
Two of John's proudest accomplishments were retiring from professional baseball without ever losing a game and pitching his final inning in relief when he entered the game with nobody out, the bases loaded and a 3-0 count on the batter, retiring the opponents without a run scored or a hitter reaching base.
John married his favorite cheerleader, Susan Anderson, whom he met playing bridge in college. They recently celebrated their 53rd anniversary.
John continued his association with baseball by umpiring college and high school games and by coaching his son Randy's various teams, winning Little League and Babe Ruth championships and taking teams to State and New England tournaments. John also coached basketball, hockey, and soccer teams involving his son and friends.
John spent his working life as a banker at Vermont National Bank, Chittenden Bank, and Bank of Vermont, all in Trust and Investment Services.
With that financial connection, John served the community in a variety of treasurer-oriented capacities. He served as the Treasurer for the Burlington Boys and Girls Club for many years. He was also the initial treasurer for the Vermont City Marathon when Gordon McFarland started it. John also helped the United Way Special Gifts Committee, and he served on several committees at First Congregational Church, the South Burlington baseball committee, and the Red Cross Blood Services. He was a long-time blood donor, including pheresis.
John was an enthusiastic golf member at the Vermont National Country Club.
John is survived by his loving wife Sue, his beloved son Randy, and his cherished daughter-in-law Catherine. John also leaves his two brothers Paul and sister-in-law Robin, and Peter and sister-in-law Patty. He was predeceased by his brother Fred but survived by Fred's wife Margo. He is also survived by his aunt Suzanne Mink, his cousins Tom Heath, Pam Cary, Tread Mink, and Cameron Lochhead, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and by his three wonderful cats - Mookie, Eli, and Brady.
Services are pending and will be announced at a later date.
Arrangements are in the care of the Chittenden County Cremation Society, A division of the Ready Funeral and Cremation Services. To send online condolences please visit www.cremationsocietycc.com.