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H. David Geer

1925 - 2018

H. David Geer obituary, 1925-2018, Griswold, CT

BORN

1925

DIED

2018

FUNERAL HOME

Gagne-Piechowski Funeral Home

490 Voluntown Rd

Jewett City, Connecticut

H. Geer Obituary

H. DAVID GEER 1925 - 2018
GRISWOLD- H. David Geer, 93, of Norman Road passed away on March 1, 2018 at Backus Hospital in Norwich, CT.
He was born February 20, 1925 in Griswold, CT, son to the late Harold F. Geer and Gladys (Gallup) Geer. On April 2, 1949 he married Barbara J. (Bitgood) Geer. She survives him.
Dave was well known for many accomplishments. He started the Geer Construction Co. in 1947 and from there he also started Geer Sand and Gravel and founded the Geer Tree Farm. With his wife Barbara, they opened The Family Tree Gift Shop which she ran for thirty years. He served Griswold as a Selectman, was a Former President of the Griswold Chamber of Commerce, Former Deacon and long time member of Pachaug First Congregational Church, Corporater of Jewett City Savings Bank, member of the Griswold Business Association Life, the Pachaug Outdoor Club, and Charter Member of Pautipaug Country Club
Dave Geer is best known as a World Champion Lumberjack appearing on ABC Wide World of Sports, the Johnny Carson Show, To Tell The Truth, What's My Line, Hobby Lobby, and Dining With The Stars.
He traveled the world competing, as well as doing lumberjack exhibitions. One of his favorite places to exhibit was The Woodstock Fair which he did for fifty consecutive years. In 1964, he was presented a winning plaque from President Harry S. Truman in Elkins, West Virginia. Dave continued to compete well into his eighties and was a true ambassador of the sport.
A favorite part of his life was working in the woods with an axe in one hand and a gun in the other. He always said if you want to be happy for the rest of your life, learn to hunt and fish.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his four children: Holly Kennedy and her husband Paul, Charlotte Geer, Tom Geer, Rick Geer and his wife Carol. He is also survived by a sister Bernice Auretta, his grandchildren Mandy Peterson and her husband Steven, John Goodenough, Brittany Langlois, Amy Morey, Tiffany Anderson and her husband Zachery, Christine Geer, Bowman and wife Liz Geer, and Laura Dietrich and her husband Nick, eight great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his great grandson Justin Bernard, sisters Dorothy Wheeler, Harriet Brown and Marion MacLeod.
Calling hours will be held 5:00-8:00 PM, Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Gagne Piechowski Funeral Home, 490 Voluntown Road, Jewett City, CT. Memorial service will be 11:00 AM Friday, March 9, 2018 at First Congregational Church of Griswold, Griswold, CT.
Immediately following the memorial service, there will be a reception at The French Club located in Jewett City, CT.
Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. For online condolences please go to www.gagnepiechowski.com
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dave's memory to the First Congregational Church of Griswold, 878 Voluntown Rd., Griswold, CT 06351 or Griswold Volunteer Fire Department, 883 Voluntown Road, Griswold, CT 06351.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Norwich Bulletin from Mar. 2 to Mar. 4, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for H. Geer

Sponsored by Gagne-Piechowski Funeral Home.

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Christopher Auretta

March 23, 2018

Dear Aunt Barbara and to all my cousins, I'm thinking of you from afar. I have many childhood memories of all of you. And Uncle David was a towering figure in our clan. I will remember him with great respect. With fond regards to all of you, christopher

Donna Maynard

March 14, 2018

R.I.P. David Geer

Donna Maynard

March 14, 2018

Condolences & Heartfelt sympathy to the complete Geer Family. Sending prayers & blessings to everyone. David will be Dearly missed, but left a Legacy of a beautiful person, with magical talent. Maynard Family

Susan Labonne Abran

March 4, 2018

Dear Mrs Geer, and family,
I am so sorry for your sadness. Hang onto the wonderful memories. He will be missed by so many.

Susan Labonne Abran

March 4, 2018

Dear Mrs. Geer and family,
I am so sorry for your sadness. Hang onto those wonderful memories.
He will be missed by so many.

Alice Deloge

March 4, 2018

Another great man gone. Deepest sympathy to the family. I'm so happy to have known him. I have always had the deepest respect for him. No matter where his chopping took him, he always had time for his family and friends. Fame didn't change him. He was always that humble, wonderful country boy. He will certainly be missed by many.

Mary (Gutknecht) Pullen

March 4, 2018

BARBARA AND FAMILY, SO VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.

March 4, 2018

Those of the volunteers who worked during the New York State Woodsmen's Field Days send condolences to the family of Dave Geer who for years was the highlight of lumberjack competition in Boonville, New York. Memories
of Dave will last forever.
Ruth Jordan Thoden
Former Executive Secretary

Tom Moretti

March 3, 2018

Dave was great friend, we enjoyed racquetball, saunas at the Y then often it was lunch and conversation he enjoyed telling his true life stories and we enjoyed hearing them God Bless you DAVE

Rusty,Lori,& Josh

March 3, 2018

So sorry to hear of his passing. Our thoughts are with the all of you. He was what is becoming a thing of the past & that is a true gentleman.

David Clement

March 3, 2018

Rick and family- Have enjoyed watching Dave,a true gentlemen competitor, for over 35 years competing at the Saco Valley Woodsmen Day in Fryeburg Maine. He won many contests and in his 80's he was still setting records in the Axe Throwing contest. He was one of the first inductees into the Saco Valley Woodsmen Day Hall of Fame and his son Rick is also a member. He trained many younger contestants and he will be missed in the Timberjack world, especially at Fryeburg.

Dave Clement
Fryeburg Announcer

Donna Beaudoin

March 3, 2018

I will always remember Mr. Geer as a gentle and kind man. He was a frequent customer at the Gold Eagle where his constant order was salad bar accompanied by a root beer. RIP Mr. Geer.

March 3, 2018

CHARLOTTE,HOLLY,AND THE ENTIRE GEER FAMILY,
WE ARE SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR DAD,I HAVE MANY GOOD MEMORIES OF STAYING AT THE GEER HOMESTEAD,AND HOW YOUR DAD ALWAYS HAD A WARM WELCOME FOR ME WHEN I WAS THERE AND A BIG SMILE.LOVE AND OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE WHOLE FAMILY.

LOVE
BARBARA AND KEN WHITEHEAD

Deboran Mish-Zglobis

March 3, 2018

My father was friends with Dave many years ago. We often were taken to competitions to see him. Many years later I approached him at the Woodstock Fair to say hello and he remembered my dad and told me a couple of stories and told me how sad he was when he learned of my fathers early death. As a child he was bigger than life to me, as an adult he maintained that honor. My prayers and sympathy to all of the family. Debbi Mish-Zglobis

Peter Bruscato

March 3, 2018

I have known Mr. Geer since I was a boy and all the family. I use to see him at Baker Dozen every morning Always said hey Bruscato with a smile just a great man from my home town. I am sorry for your lost.

Mary Cholewa

March 2, 2018

Mrs Geer and family we are very sorry for the loss of your husband, father, grandfather may he rest in piece in gods loving arms. With deepest sympathy. Donald Mary Donnie and Cory Cholewa

Showing 1 - 16 of 16 results

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Memorial Events
for H. Geer

Mar

8

Calling hours

5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Gagne-Piechowski Funeral Home

490 Voluntown Rd, Jewett City, CT 06351

Mar

9

Memorial service

11:00 a.m.

First Congregational Church of Griswold

Griswold, CT

Funeral services provided by:

Gagne-Piechowski Funeral Home

490 Voluntown Rd, Jewett City, CT 06351

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