Allen John "Al" Gestay

1943 - 2025

Allen "Al" John Gestay
Allen "Al" John Gestay, 82, of Springfield, NH, passed in the arms of his loving wife, Kathy, on Monday, April 14, 2025, at his home in Springfield, NH.
Born in Meriden, CT, on February 19, 1943, to the late John and Leona Gestay, Al was raised in Meriden and graduated from Porter Chester Institute with a degree in plumbing.
Following graduation and marriage to his first wife, Marie Jacob, Al worked as a plumber and eventually opened his own plumbing business, and started his family with Marie, blessing them with 2 daughters and twin sons. After purchasing a second home in Springfield, NH, he brought his family North for weekends filled with winter activities.
After the passing of his first wife, Marie, Al made new friends in the NH community, leading him to meet his future second wife, Kathy Johnson. They married in 2006, when Al retired, leaving his business to his sons. He moved to Springfield permanently and enjoyed many years of retirement.
As a respected member of the community, he was a member of civic organizations, including The Lions Club and several others. He was a loving husband, father and "Poppa" to his grandchildren. Al never missed an opportunity to watch and celebrate a UCONN game. He loved to cook, entertain and have a good laugh with those around him.
In addition to his wife, Kathy, surviving family members include his children, Denise Zawalinski of Waterford, CT, Lauren and her husband Jack Coleman of Portland, CT, David Gestay of Meriden, CT, Steven and his wife Sue Gestay of Haddam, CT. Al was also stepfather to Scott and Brent Johnson of Newport, NH and Limington, ME; Al's surviving grandchildren are: Jacob, Haley, Addy, Molly, Mason, Evan, Brendon, Ashlee, Brooke, and Connor; and great-grandfather to Marianna and Sophia.
Visiting hours will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Newton-Bartlett Funeral Home, 42 Main Street Newport, NH. A Catholic Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025, at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 724 Main Street, New London, NH, followed by a reception at the Foresters Club on 38 Maple Street, Newport, NH. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited.