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In Memoriam : Bernard Giese
Bernard Walter Giese - age: 85
(August 30, 1937 to December 30, 2022
)
Resident of
Scarborough, Maine
Obituary:
Scarborough, ME – Bernard Walter Giese (Bernie), 85, died on Friday December 30th, 2022, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House with his family by his side. Bernie died very peacefully while
listening to some of his favorite recordings, including the lullaby "Sleep Kentucky Babe", a song he used to sing to his children when they were young, and a 1982 clip of Garrison Keillor’s "Lake Woebegone".
Bernie was born in Milwaukee Wisconsin on August 30th, 1937, during the Great Depression. He was a special educator, an advocate and counselor for people with disabilities, a sailboat
captain, lighthouse enthusiast, artist and craftsman, hard worker, historian, ferry deckhand, a whiskey loving cowboy and the Giese family head chef. He made the best apple & lemon meringue pies and took so much joy over the years in feeding his family.
Bernie had an independent spirit and a love for adventure and the outdoors that were perhaps born from his years in Wyoming. He served in the Peace Corps in Brazil and used to entertain his family with colorful stories of fishing with the local fishermen.
Bernie also had an unforgettable laugh and a great sense of humor. He enjoyed silly practical jokes and he got a kick out of surprising those who weren’t expecting his unique brand of sarcasm. He used to love telling people when they dared tell him to have a good day, “I’ll have any damn day I want to have!” He was such a character!!
We are going to miss him so much. Bernie had a sparkle in his eye that made you feel instantly
connected to him and he was always happy to make someone’s day. During the years when he was working away from home in Vermont, he and his daughter exchanged entries in a journal they called “The Adventures of Trolly,” a pastime that made her feel so special and loved. He and his son enjoyed quality time together filled with cribbage games, conversation and rooting on their favorite sports teams. Bernie also cherished the many camping and boating adventures, as well as cross-country train and car rides that he embarked upon with his wife, Beth and their family!
When Bernie and family moved to Maine, he fell in love with the Portland Head Light and always said that volunteering at the Lighthouse was the job he most treasured. Above all else, he deeply loved his family. Lots of love Poppa Bear. We know you’ll be with us always.
Bernie is survived by his wife of 42 years Beth Ann Early Giese, his daughter Heather Giese and her partner Jesse Lidgey, his son Samuel Giese, and his sisters Gloria Postel and Barbara Lee Henry.
Bernie’s family is planning celebrations of life to be held in Maine and Vermont this summer.
Please visit a lighthouse in Bernie’s honor.
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Heather Nelson - February 16, 2023 Contact this person
I am sorry for your loss Sam. Please accept Zeke, Eliana and mine prayers and thoughts to you and your family.
-The Nelson Family
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