Jeremiah Joseph Geary III August 5, 1941 – October 26, 2019

Jeremiah Joseph Geary III, 78, lovingly known as Jerry, Joe and Papa Bear, passed away at his home in Sisters on Saturday, October 26.

Joe was born in Boston, Massachusetts on August 5, 1941 to J. Joseph Geary Jr. and Rose V. Geary (McSheffrey). Joe joined the Air Force in 1960, serving for four years as a photo lithographer. With ink now in his blood, he moved to the West Coast, settling in Portland, where he continued his printing career and met Lorraine, his wife and mother of his two daughters, Noël Lesh (Geary) and Nicole Reid (Geary).

He and Lorraine were married seven years before he moved to California and taught printing at Fullerton College.

The Oregon landscape brought Joe back in the early 1980s, where he spent the last 30-plus years of his life in Sisters, owning his own printing business, “Geary Graphics” for a number of years, printing everything from the Sisters Hotel menu to the Sisters Rodeo posters. After hanging up his color bars, Joe drove thousands of miles, primarily for Fuqua Homes, as their pilot car in his steadfast workhorse, a 1989 Chevy Silverado, with the name “Geary’s of Sisters,” proudly adorning the side windows, which is running to this day with over 500,000 miles on it.

Joe Geary was an ambassador of humanity, love, kindness and grace. Not only was he an active member of the local commerce, Joe volunteered with the Sisters Rodeo Association and Hospice of Redmond, always giving back to his community. Joe will also be remembered for his dice game “Around the Horn,” aka rolling bones. He had a passion and love for classic rock (Supertramp, Fleetwood Mac, Moody Blues) which was often the backdrop during many ‘round the horn games. It was a true honor to be sitting with him at his dining room table playing. It is a treasured memory for everyone who had the opportunity to have dice in hand with him.

Joe’s love for family, friends and even passersby was genuine, unconditional, true and sprinkled with much humor. He never missed sending birthday cards. He was considered a wise counselor, avid listener, true mentor and forever friend. Joe carried peace wherever he was and anyone who crossed his path walked away a better person. He will be missed and never forgotten…definitely Heaven’s gain.

Our family is deeply grateful to the Sharp Family for their ministry of love and support to our amazing dad, from buying groceries and picking up mail to installing faucets, playing music and creating meaningful memories with him. You are an extension of our family and he cherished you immensely.

Jeremiah, Jerry, Joe, Papa Bear is survived by his daughters, Noël Lesh and Nicole Reid; their mother, Lorraine (her husband, Ray Robbins, who was like a brother to Joe); grandchildren Alivia Reid and Seth Reid; brothers, David Geary (Claire) and Paul Geary (JoAnn); sister, Rosemary Hasenfuss (Peter); along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and relatives.

A Celebration of Life gathering is being planned for next spring and details will be provided as they are confirmed.

Memorial donations can be made to Hospice of Redmond, 732 SW 23rd St., Redmond, OR 97756, 541-548-7483, or online at http://www.hospiceofredmond.org