Richard C. Giles, 92, of Somerville, MA passed peacefully at his home surrounded by his loved ones.
Born in Somerville on July 16, 1931 to his late parents Sherman Clayton Giles of Boothbay, ME and Doris (Fuelner) Giles born in New York. Richard was the Beloved husband of late Virginia Ann (King) Giles, devoted father of Mark William Giles, late son Michael Clayton Giles, daughter Rhonda Giles Rizzo and husband Ralph, loving grandson of Stephen Richard Rizzo, loving brother of late Ann Stanford and husband Ronald and many loved nieces, nephews and friends.
A memorial saying Dad liked:
Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.
Earlier in my life, I asked Dad, how do you read a compass? So he would tell me. Years later, I asked him again and he’d once again tell me. Now, years later, I realize he was my compass along life’s way. He’s was also my
Lighthouse beacon guiding the way in every direction! Richard worked on the Duxbury Pier Lighthouse in Plymouth, MA back in the day while in the Coast Guard, also known as Bug Light.
Whenever I needed guidance, strength, understanding, support, patience, calming and so much more, I’d call Dad. We can attribute our qualities to our parents, we can also attribute our faults (no table top was empty in our house, mine either, hahahaha)!
Richard lived a good and long life as a caring and thoughtful, generous and loving man, a good friend and a good listener. He was everything you’d want a Dad and Gramps to be. He loved being at his place in Maine and cared very much for all his friends up there, (including his seagull friend Gertrude), where they’d sit on the porch and have a Moxie together with his friends, not Gertrude! They say his quiet kindness was easy to love and rubbed off on those lucky enough to be around him. Friends were quick to let their guard down when witnessing his humble humor, plethora of hidden talents and knowledge, and gentle strength. He helped keep the belief of the good in people alive in the world. So many people loved him for his gentle kindness and caring of mankind and creatures of all sorts. He saw the good in everything and never had a bad word to say about anyone, his old firefighter coworker friend said of him. All these qualities led him to becoming a firefighter in the City of Somerville from November 1961 through September 1986. He also loved traveling across the country to Arizona, exploring the deserts and camping on the Baha.
Our Dad ~ the guy whose voice on the phone can make you feel like everything is going to be alright and says ‘I love you’ before he hangs up. The guy whose wise words echo in your head whenever you need guidance. The guy who gives tight hugs every time you see him. The guy whose place in your heart grows bigger every year. You’re all those things and more and we’re all so very proud to be part of your life. You will always be one of the kindest, most caring Dads this world has ever seen!
The world is half full vs. half empty in the goodness of his mind. So thank you for giving us all your wisdom, strength, guidance and lessons that our life and friendship has been built on! As we hold him in our memories, even though we are apart, his spirit will live on forever in our hearts!
Richard is now wrapped in the arms of our Lord, our Mom and brother Michael. Rest in peace our Dear Dad. He did not want a funeral service but we hope to see you in the Spring for a Celebration of Life get together.