Robert A. Guiher

1931 - 2017

Preston's first resident trooper

Preston - Robert A. Guiher, 86, of Preston and Bradenton, Fla., passed away on Friday, Dec. 22, 2017.

Bob was born in Oil City, Pa., on Feb. 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 Pennsylvania National Guard from 1948 to 1950 with Company F, 112th Infantry. He attended Tri-State College in Angola, Ind. before enlisting in the U.S. Coast Guard, serving from 1950 to 1954 stationed in Boston, Mass. 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. 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, 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. She predeceased him in September of 1999. He married Margaret Fleming, on Aug. 4, 2007, in Preston.

He is survived by his sons, Thomas (IUOE 478) and wife, Sue and David (M/Sgt. Ledyard P.D. retired) 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, Mass. and Ann Wivagg of Waco, Texas. Bob is also survived by his wife Margaret's children, Peter Fleming and his wife, Ann Marie and 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; and great-grandchildren, Lyla, Dylan, Jasmin and Emily Grace.

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.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Conn. 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 Connecticut, 227 Dunham St., Norwich, CT 06360.

Special thanks to Hospice staff, nurse Amy and health aide Jim for their outstanding care and to all of the Southeastern Conn. Hospice staff for the outstanding care giving Bob quality of life during his illness.

Calling hours will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27, at the Gagne-Piechowski Funeral Home, 490 Voluntown Road (Route 138), Griswold. Meeting directly at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Preston at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, 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., Taftville.