Bernard D. Giere of East Quogue died at Stony Brook University Medical Center on July 31 after complications from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He was 74.
Born in Chicago on May 29, 1939, he graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and joined the U.S. Air Force in 1962.
Mr. Giere served in Vietnam as an F-4 Phantom pilot, and he flew for Pan Am and Delta Airlines. He served in the New York Air National Guard as air commander for the 106th Air Rescue and Recovery Group at Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach.
He was an elder and trustee at the Westhampton Presbyterian Church and was beloved by all who knew him, survivors said. Mr. Giere enjoyed traveling and spending time with family. His family said he adored his seven grandchildren, age 8 to 24, that his sense of humor delighted others and that he lived his life with a wink and a smile.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sarajane; and children, Lisa Conigliaro and husband Tom Conigliaro of New Jersey, and Paul B. Giere and wife Kimberly of Remsenburg; and seven grandchildren, Elizabeth, Christine, Mark, James, Shannon, Ryan and Matthew.
Interment will be held at Calverton National Cemetery on Thursday, August 15, at 11 a.m. under the direction of the R.J. O’Shea Funeral Home. A memorial service and reception will be held the same day at 3 p.m. at the Westhampton Presbyterian Church in Westhampton Beach.
Memorial donations may be made to the ALS Association, Greater New York Chapter, 42 Broadway, Suite 1724, New York, NY 10004, or to the Memorial and Endowment Fund of the Westhampton Presbyterian Church, 90 Meeting House Road, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978.
on Aug 5, 2013