H. David Geer

1925 - 2018

Griswold - H. David Geer, 93, of Norman Road, passed away on Thursday, March 1, 2018, at The William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich.

He was born Feb. 20, 1925, in Griswold, 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 30 years. He served Griswold as a selectman, was a former president of the Griswold Chamber of Commerce, former deacon and longtime 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 50 consecutive years. In 1964, he was presented a winning plaque from President Harry S. Truman in Elkins, W.Va. 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 and 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; and sisters, Dorothy Wheeler, Harriet Brown and Marion MacLeod.

Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 8, 2018, at the Gagne Piechowski Funeral Home, 490 Voluntown Road, Jewett City. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 9, 2018, at First Congregational Church of Griswold, Griswold. Immediately following the memorial service, there will be a reception at The French Club located in Jewett City. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family.

For online condolences please go to www.gagnepiechowski.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dave's memory to the First Congregational Church of Griswold, 878 Voluntown Road, Griswold, CT 06351 or Griswold Volunteer Fire Department, 883 Voluntown Road, Griswold, CT 06351.