Cover photo for Francis E. Geissler's Obituary
Francis E. Geissler Profile Photo
1915 Francis 2009

Francis E. Geissler

December 13, 1915 — July 13, 2009

Francis E. Geissler, 93, of Willimantic, CT died on Monday July 13, 2009 at Douglas Manor, Windham, CT. He was born December 13, 1915 in Broad Brook, CT, the son of Rudolph and Rose (Kirchoff) Geissler. He was predeceased by Dorothy (Maguire) Geissler, his wife of 67 years who passed away in 2007. He is survived by a daughter Barbara Staples and her late husband Parker of Barrington, RI; and three sons, David and his wife April of Tolland, CT, Donald and his wife Judith of Wakefield, RI and Tom and Robyn of Mill Valley, CA; 15 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. The family wants to acknowledge the special relationship our father enjoyed with Dave Yeo. Also, the Geissler family wishes to thank the nurses and staff of Douglas Manor for compassionate and loving care. Francis Geissler graduated from Rockville High School and New Britain State Teachers College (CCSU). He taught and coached at Rockville High School before moving to Willimantic State Teacher's College (ECSU) in 1948. At Eastern, he was the school's first director of athletics, and also served as director of Health and Physical Education, baseball coach for 16 years, men's basketball coach for nearly 14 years, and college registrar from 1964 until his retirement in 1977, a span of nearly 30 years. At his induction into the ECSU Athletics Hall of Fame, it was said, "If one individual is responsible for the development of the Eastern Connecticut State University intercollegiate athletics program, it is Francis E. Geissler." He also was active as a football, soccer and basketball official and served as the Assistant Commissioner of New England Football Officials Association. In 1963, Francis was an ambassador for the US State Department coaching a team of former college basketball players on a three month tour through the Far East. The family will receive friends at Potter Funeral Home 456 Jackson Street (Route 195) in Willimantic CT between the hours of 5:00 and 8:00pm on Thursday, July 16th. The church service will be held at the Tolland United Congregational Church at 45 Tolland Green, Tolland CT at 10:30 on Friday, July 17th. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Francis E. & Dorothy M. Geissler Scholarship at ECSU, 83 Windham St. Willimantic, CT 06226. For online memorial guestbook and directions to the funeral home, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .
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