Rich Ceisler

Rich Ceisler was well known for his comedic timing. He could hold an audience of hundreds in the palm of his hands with a set up, a pause, silence, then a knock out punch line. However, this week, his timing could not have been worse.

Rich, a comedian, actor, magician, director, playwright and songwriter died suddenly on August 4, 2014 in Santiago, Dominican Republic from complications of Guillain-Barre syndrome at the age of 58.

The son of the late Ralph and Shirley (Mendelson) Ceisler, Rich leaves behind his adored fiancée Catherine Doyle. They met on a cruise over seven years ago and have been devoted to each other ever since. They traveled the world together and planned many more adventures. Family and friends were to gather in Whitefield, NH on August 9, 2014 to celebrate Rich and Catherine’s wedding.

He is also survived by his loving sister Lauri Ceisler Vinick and her husband Les Shelton. Rich and Lauri shared a love of music, theatre and the arts. A gift they inherited from their mother Shirley. A constant supporter of Rich’s career, Lauri was his first audience. Rich could not have been prouder of his niece Joanna and would joyously recount her latest accomplishments to friends. He loved Joanna unconditionally.

He will be deeply missed by his Canadian family Tom and Ena Doyle, Jacquie and Mike Brown, and Michael and Nancy Doyle. His young nieces and nephews, Aidan, Ella, Alexander and Avery will remember their Uncle Rich through pictures and stories.

Rich rose to prominence as a headlining comedian during the Boston comedy boom in the 1980s. For the past 30 years, he was a well-known “road dog”, a comedians’ term for comics who make their living from live performances. Rich played comedy rooms around the world or on cruise ships in Europe, Asia and throughout the Caribbean.

Rich grew up in North Belmore, New York. He was a natural-born performer from the start. He honed his skills at the SUNY Fredonia where he studied Theatre Arts. He briefly attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute for graduate studies. Early in his career, he moved around to take advantage of the then-burgeoning comedy scene in Buffalo, Los Angeles before finally settling down in the Boston area.

Rich lived a blessed life. He was able to make a career doing what he loved. He made tens of thousands of people around the world laugh over his 30 year career in comedy. Rich will be missed by hundreds of colleagues and friends. However, his comedy will live on.

Rich billed himself as a cynic. But nothing could be farther from the truth. He found joy in everything and goodness in everyone. We have lost a most special soul.

A memorial service will be held at Temple Beth Avodah, 45 Puddingstone Lane, Newton on Sunday, August 10 at 11:00AM. The family will receive visitors at the Temple immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Guillain-Barre Syndrome, www.gbs-cidp.org.