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Richard Searing “Dick” Giles, of North Hornell

NORTH HORNELL-Richard Searing “Dick” Giles, 81 of Wightman Ave., passed away unexpectedly Friday morning (Oct. 24, 2014) at St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell.

 

Born in Auburn on Jan. 15, 1933, he was a son of the late Warren and Esther Haines Giles. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his brothers, Warren and John Giles; his nephew, Douglas Giles and his aunts, uncles and cousins.

 

Dick attended a country grade school and graduated from Skaneateles High School in 1951, where he played the trombone. He also attended Cornell University and graduated from the Alfred Technical Institute in 1955 with a degree in Agricultural Engineering.

 

On September 17, 1955 he was married to the former Marian Mills of Port Byron, who survives.

 

He was employed by the former Ontario Industries in Hornell and also manufactured and sold welding equipment for several years. His major life work, with his wife, was purchasing old houses, repairing and then selling or renting them. They also designed and built several new houses and a small mobile home park in Alfred as well as the Marick Park development in North Hornell. He was also the founder of HARPO, a landlord rental association in the early 1990s. He enjoyed his work so much that he didn’t consider it work.

 

Dick was a member of the former Park and Spencer United Methodist Churches in Hornell where he and Marian were Youth Counselors for 24 years and they greatly enjoyed the fellowship of so many beautiful young people, especially when they were involved with all of their trips and camping activities. Besides serving as a lay leader, a trustee and a member of the Administrative Board of both churches, he also repaired and assisted in maintaining the church pipe organ. In more recent years he attended the Almond Union of Churches where he was also very active.

 

An avid reader, he also enjoyed crossword puzzles, writing poetry, singing in church and college choirs, playing the harmonica and fixing anything that could possibly be fixed. In 1980 he and Marian spent two months traveling in a pick up truck camper up the West coast; they continued camping for several more years afterwards.

 

His family includes his loving wife of 59 years, Marian; also in-laws, nieces, nephews and many, many friends and co-workers.

 

The Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in Hornell is honored to serve the family of Richard Searing “Dick” Giles.

 

A private funeral service was held at the convenience of his family at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell, the Rev. Steve Dygert officiated. Committal services and interment followed at the Fremont Cemetery, Stephens Mills.

 

The courtesy of no flowers would be appreciated and those wishing may contribute in his memory to their favorite charity.


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