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Geer, Russell C.
, age 86, of Millis, died peacefully on Tuesday evening, December 22, 2009, at the Tippett Home in Needham.
Born in Beverly on January 18, 1923, he was the son of the late James Clifford and Inez Ruth (Tannebring) Geer. He was a 1941 graduate of Killingly High School in Danielson, Connecticut, and continued his education at General Motors Institute. He entered the Army and served with the 68th Armored Infantry Battalion in Central Europe during World War II.
Russ married Charlotte Warren on September 28, 1945, and they lived for many years in Needham prior to settling in Millis in 1982. He was service manager of Berejik Motors in Needham, and retired after more than fifty years with the company. Very active in community service, Russ had been a member of the Nehoiden Lodge, AF & AM of Needham since 1955 and had twice served as Commander of American Legion Post 208 in Millis. He was also a member of the Millis Lions Club, past president of the Bay State Antique Auto Club, a member of the Eastern Massachusetts GMO Chapter of the Oldsmobile Club of America, and involved with the Needham Retired Men’s Club. Russ had also been a deacon for many years at the First Baptist Church of Needham.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Charlotte Perkins Warren Geer; a daughter, Pamela Perkins Geer of Boulder, Colorado; a son, Russell C. Geer, Jr. and his wife Elizabeth of Dorchester; and two granddaughters, Anya Allyn Kolesnikoff and Sierra Rose Geer.
His funeral service was held at the Church of Christ, 142 Exchange Street, Millis, on Tuesday, Dec. 29th at 11:00a.m.
Graveside services with military honors will be held on Saturday, June 5th, 2010 at 11:00 AM at Westfield Cemetery, Danielson, CT.
Visiting hours were at the Roberts-Mitchell Funeral Home, 90 Curve Street, Millis, on Monday, Dec. 28th 2 - 4 & 7 – 9p.m.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to American Legion Post 208, P.O. Box 22, Millis, MA 02054.
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| Guest Book: |
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| Holly Bennett & Bob Maraggio |
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Charlotte and Family,
Russ was a great guy. Always had a kind word and a smile when we saw him at the Legion. May your happy memories of him carry you through this difficult time. |
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| John Howard |
(john1239@gmail.com): |
| Russ had a wonderful life in service to others. He will be greatly missed. |
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| george geer |
(grtgeer@sbcglobal.net): |
Russell, you lived a long and fruitful life with a loving wife and children. I have a great many happy memories of our family's visits, both in Needham and in Belchertown and Pittsfield, and the time or two we spent together in Greenfield, NH. My best memories, though, are the ones we spent at Fenway Park, especially the day we all sat down the right field line among a huge group of very noisy, restless youngsters. I can still see your jaw jutting out as you said to Charlotte, "Don't you ever get tickets in this section again!" That wouldn't be possible these days. Now, though, from where you are, you can see any game you want from any seat you want. That's pretty good. I'm so thankful that we were able to get together at the Geer Family Reunion in Ledyard in 2007. I remember you telling me how much you missed me, and I felt the same way. You're fine where you are now and I bet you've already gotten together with my mother and are comparing notes on what's going on with our families. Godspeed to you, Russ. I will miss you very much. George.
Charlotte, Pam, and Rusty...on behalf of Rosanne and Tim, my deepest sympathies to you. Keep hold of your memories. Love, George. |
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| Jackie Coffey |
(JayCof@ao.com): |
Dear Charlotte and Family,
My deepest sympathy. Russ was a gentle and friendly man...and helpful when you needed his advice.
He will be missed by all.
Love, Jackie
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| Mary Lou Shields |
(maryloushields@verizon.net): |
When my daughter, Liz married Russ Junior, I got to be a member of the Geer family by extension -- at least so said, "Big Russ."
What an honor, what a pleasure it has been.
Russ was a man whose heart was as big and warm as his generous handshake.
To me, a non-driver, he passed on his love of the classic Oldsmobile and now, like the automobile he so loved, Russ, too, has passed into history, a passing we mourn with sad hearts and our pledge to support his beloved, Charlotte.
Thank you for your service to our country, Russell. Ride easy.
Love,
Mary Lou
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| Lawrence J. McCarter, SMSgt, USAF (Ret), |
(McCartLaw@AOL.com): |
Russ, It has always been a great pleasure to have known you and worked with You at the American Legion, Post 208, Millis, MA. You always made me feel better even if sometimes I was kind of down with your quick smile and greeting. At the social functions at the Legion My wife and I always looked forward to sitting with you, my friend. Thank you for your tireless effort and the hours you put into making our Post a better place. Thank You also for your sevice to our great country, the United State of America though your servie in the U.S. Army.
Lawrence J. McCarter, Commander
American Legion, Post 208, Millis, MA |
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| Edward H. Fitzgerald |
(tkotwo_2000@yahoo.com): |
My friend Russ -
It has been a privilege to be associated with you these past twenty or so years. I will always remember our talks about Oldsmobiles and Veterans.
You are a true hero of the "Greatest Generation."
Rest in peace, Brother.
Ed Fitsgerald,
Past Cmdr. Lexington Post 3007,
Veterans of Foreign Wars
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| Rich & Karen Santucci |
(ourw30@comcast.net): |
| We had the pleasure of meeting Russ through the Olds Club a few years back.Being an old hand in the automotive world he was always ready to give advice when needed.He was a warm and caring person who will be missed and we really appreciated all he stood for.God bless and all our prayers are with the family. |
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| Drew Sullivan |
(drewsull49@aol.com): |
Russ was my mentor judging older cars during a BSAAC July show. His patience helped me more than I can say and he knew how to be a great teacher. He was an example to all... of how club members should conduct themselves in a gentlemanly and welcoming manner at all times. Russ was "one of a kind" and I will miss him dearly. My deepest condolences to all of Russ's family members, my thoughts are with you.
warm regards,
drew
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| David Gould |
(davidgould17@yahoo.com): |
| I was one of the boys who hung around with Russ, Jr. back in Needham and, as a bonus, got to know Big Russ from the perspective of youth. We were all fans of the guy. It wasn't a case of 20 years going by and you finally appreciate a person's qualities, we all knew at the time what a legit, honest, unpretentious man he was. It's never easy to live a good life, but Big Russ made it look easy, being so comfortable in his own skin. Something to aspire to, even now. |
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| Ted, Sue & Gil Geer |
(stgg@verizon.net): |
| Uncle Russell, Aunt Charlotte, Cousins Pam & Rusty, So many warm, happy memories of Thanksgivings, baseball games at Fenway, trips to Berejik to look at the new Olsmobiles and much more to fill our hearts. Thank you! |
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| Holly Russell |
(holly.russell@tdbanknorth.com): |
Dear Charlotte, Pam, Rusty, Elizabeth, Anya and Sierra Rose, I am so sad to hear of Russ's passing. Like all of you who have sent messges, I have many memories of Russ n' Charlotte. Russ was a great friend of my Dad's. Dad owned many cars in his lifetime and after WWII, ALL of them were purchased from Russ. In some ways, Russ stepped in as a Dad figure when my dad passed away in 1990. He and Charlotte would stop by and if there was man work to be done, Russ would do it. I am so proud of the friendship he had with my Airedale - Lord Nelson. He would come to the house and boom LORD NELSON! And Nelson listened to him! They had been friends for a while when I learned that Russ actually didn't like Airedales very much, because of one who used to chase him when he was a boy. I'm proud that Nelson helped him feel differently. Russ and Charlotte always came to watch us ride at the spring horse show down the street from our house. They are both great and loyal friends not only of to my parents but to my sister and me also. I hope Russ will see my Dad again and his buddy Lord Nelson. My love to Charlotte, Pam, Rusty, Liz, Anya and Sierra Rose.
Love, Holly Russell |
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