Robert A. Guiher

1931 - 2017

ROBERT A. GUIHER 1931 - 2017
PRESTON - Robert A. Guiher age 86 of Preston Ct. and Bradenton Fl. passed away on December 22, 2017. Bob was born in Oil City Pa. on February 12, 1931 the only child of Allen E. and Miriam L. Guiher who predeceased him.
Bob was raised in Oil City Pa. and graduated from the Oil City High School in 1949 where he lettered in Baseball, Football, Wrestling, and Basketball. Bob served in the Pa. National Guard from 1948 – 1950 with Company F, 112th Infantry. He attended Tri-State College in Angola Indiana before enlisting in the United States Coast Guard serving from 1950 to 1954 stationed in Boston Ma. aboard the USCG McCulloch. He served as a Gunner's Mate 2nd class. Upon his honorable discharge from the Coast Guard Bob began a career as a State Trooper with the Connecticut State Police and after graduation from the Connecticut State Police Academy he was assigned to Troop E then located in Groton Ct. In 1961 Bob was assigned by the State Police to serve as an Inspector for the Court of Common Pleas, New London County and in 1962 he was assigned by the State Police to the States Attorney's Office, New London County to serve as an Inspector. In 1964 Bob was assigned as the first Resident State Trooper in the Town of Preston Ct. serving in that capacity until his promotion to Sergeant in 1968. After the State Police, Bob began a second career with the International Union of Operating Engineers IUOE Local 478. Upon retirement he worked for Century 21 Real Estate in Norwich.
Bob was very active in the Preston community and was instrumental in constructing the original Green Memorial Junior-Major Baseball Park along with Norm Gauthier (deceased) and Russ Green of Preston. Bob was a life member of the Preston City Volunteer Fire Department and held numerous positions serving as Fire Captain, President, and teaching first aid and boating safety courses. Bob served on numerous boards and commissions in Preston, and was a Life member and past President of the Preston City Fair Association. He was a Life member of the Norwich Lodge of Elks #430, Life member of the American Legion, and a member of the Connecticut State Police Alumni Association (CSPAA). Bob married the former Claire Przylucki on July 19, 1952 at St. Josephs Church in Norwich Ct. She predeceased him in September of 1999. He married Margaret Fleming on August 4, 2007 in Preston. He is survived by his sons Thomas (IUOE 478) and wife Sue, David (M/Sgt. Ledyard P.D. Ret.) and wife Mary, Grandchildren Dr. Julie (Guiher) Wright and husband Lloyd (TFC/CSP), Michael Guiher (PFF), and Ashley Guiher, two great grandsons Dexter and Lincoln, as well as his brother in law James Ennis Jr. of Preston, cousins John Havice and wife Susan of Lynn Ma, and Ann Wivagg of Waco Tx. He was predeceased by his brothers in law Joseph Przylucki and Joseph Alfieri, sisters in law Helen Ennis, Francis Alfieri, and Betty Przylucki as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Bob is also survived by his wife Margaret's children, Peter Fleming and his wife Ann Marie, Lena Baldwin and husband George, grandchildren Ambry (Fleming) Ducharme and husband Chris, Beth Fleming, Joy Braun and husband Lloyd, Sarah Baldwin, Adam Fleming, Samantha Vankirk and husband Baha Dubose, great grand children Lyla, Dylan, Jasmin and Emily Grace.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Ct. State Police Alumni Association 285 Preston Ave. Meriden Ct. 06450 or the Preston City Fire Department 412 Route 165 Preston Ct. 06365 or Center for Hospice Care, Southeastern Ct. 227 Dunham St. Norwich Ct. 06360.
Special thanks to Hospice staff, Nurse Amy and Health Aid Jim for their outstanding care and to all of the South Eastern Ct. Hospice staff for the outstanding care giving Bob quality of life during his illness.
Calling hours will be at the Gagne-Piechowski Funeral Home located at 490 Voluntown Road (Route 138) in Griswold on Wednesday December 27th from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm. Meeting directly at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Preston at 9:30 am on Thursday December 28th a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated with burial following at Saint Joseph's cemetery in Norwich. For online condolences please go to www.gagnepiechowski.com
A reception will follow at the Knights of Columbus, 47 South 2nd Ave. in Taftville.