Walter Giese

Walter Giese, age 88, of Plainville, MA passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 20th, 2022, after only a few weeks of heart trouble. He is survived by his son Glenn Stanley Giese and daughter in law Renee Lemoine Giese both living in Plainville. Also, by a nephew Stephan Zeyn and half-brother Bodo Giese. Both still living in Hamburg, Germany.
He was born on February 5, 1934, in Schenefeld, Germany. He had an older sister, Ilse Giese.In the early years of his childhood they lived in the countryside just outside Hamburg. When WW II started, they could see the city burning from the bombing every few nights. He escaped most of the hardships brought upon by the war despite an incendiary bomb crashing through the roof and floors one night. Luckily, they were home and could put the fire out, thus saving the house for a few more months.
Near the war's end they moved to another harbor town called Flensburg. At the age of eleven he found his passion for boats and sailing. He did anything to be near and on boats. After high school he went to engineering school to become a mechanical engineer. He did his apprenticeship in the twilight of steam powered ships. And continued working in the engine rooms of ocean-going cargo ships. After a few Atlantic crossings on the cargo ship "Spreestein" he stepped ashore in Miami Beach, Florida, USA. The was done in classic fashion carrying only a sea chest and a duffle bag of clothes. The date was October 27th, 1965. He met up with his good friend Thomas Waehneldt and started a new life. He met Susan Lee Riggs and they were soon married and had their son Glenn. In a little boat they sailed and explored the Florida Keys. Sometimes for a few weeks at a time.A career in biomedical engineering caused the family of three to move across the country a few times. Settling in Attleboro, MA in 1985. Walter continued to sail up and down the east coast from Maine to Key West. In the last decade he lived happily with Glenn and Renee in Plainville, MA.A celebration of life will be held in a few months. If anyone is interested, please contact Glenn and Renee via email. 934bmx@comcast.net
Instead of flowers, in honor of Walter's many years at sea on ships and boats large and small, one can make a donation to the IYRS School of Technology and Trades, Newport, RI online at: https://www.iyrs.edu/give/make-a-gift or by mail at: IYRS School of Technology & Trades, Attn: Development Department, 449 Thames St., Newport, RI  02840
For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com .
Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleborough. (508) 695-0200