(05/19/12) Gessner, William G. Sr., 89, formerly of Coventry passed away at Riverview Nursing Home in Coventry on Saturday, May 19, 2012. He was the devoted husband of Christine L. (Cooke) Gessner of Warwick. Born in Dover, NH he was the son of the late George L. and Margaret (McFadden) Gessner.
Mr. Gessner graduated from Norwich Free Academy, attended and graduated from Bryant College in 1942 with a BSA degree in accounting. He worked in public accounting and became the comptroller of Lying-In Hospital and the Womenâs & Infants Hospital. He later took a position at Rhode Island Hospital as assistant comptroller and then was promoted to the office of director of internal audit, retiring in 1987.
Some of Mr. Gessnerâs interests were gun and cartridge collecting, photography, target shooting, hunting and collecting antiques. He was a lifetime member of the Providence Revolver Club, IAA (International Ammunition Association Inc.), the Rhode Island Fish and Game Protective Association where he served as treasurer for 12 years. He was a longtime member of the NRA in which he fought vehemently against gun control.
Along with cartridge collecting he collected mainly 58 caliber ammunition and was internationally known as an authority. He started a book roughly 35 years ago hoping to finish it by his 58th birthday; however he did finish in 2006 even though he was fighting against Alzheimerâs disease.
Besides his wife Christine, he is survived by five children: William G. Gessner, Jr. of Colorado, the late Donald M. Gessner of Providence, Lyn A. Oberg of Warwick, Dianne M. Gessner of Warwick and George W. Gessner of Coventry, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be at Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home & Crematory, 659 East Greenwich Avenue, West Warwick on Saturday, May 26 at 12 Noon with visitation from 11 AM- 12 PM prior to the service. Should friends desire, donations may be made to Riverview Health Care Activities Fund, 546 Main Street, Coventry, RI 02816.
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