William H. Gesner

He was born in Fall River, the son of the late P. William and Lucy D. (Hicks) Gesner. Mr. Gesner was a graduate of BMC Durfee High School class of 1941 and was a graduate of the Franklin Institute in Boston now Benjamin Franklin Institute for Automotive Technology. While in school he worked for Hoover Motors in Boston. A United States Army Veteran of World War II, he served in Northern Africa, China, Burma, India and Okinawa. He received the Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theatre Campaign Ribbon and the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon.

After World War II Mr. Gesner returned home and opened the Sunoco Gas Station on South Main St. and later owned City Service Station on Pleasant St. both in Fall River. Mr. Gesner owned Citroen French Imports, Gesner Foreign Car Sales and Gesner Subaru in Fall River which was one the first Subaru Dealerships in New England before moving the business to Somerset where he was the owner of Gesner Chrysler Jeep and Plymouth.

A member of the former St. John’s Episcopal Church in Fall River, Mr. Gesner served many years on the Vestry. He was a Trustee of the Citizen Union Bank, former President of the Quequechan Club and a member of its bowling league, the Bakers Beach Club, the National Automobile Dealers and a member of the CBI Club.

He is survived by three children Cheryl A. Gesner of Swansea, William E. Gesner of Westport and Marcus E. Gesner of Assonet; three brothers Thomas G. Gesner of Tiverton, George Gesner of Somerset and Richard Gesner of Manchester, NH; eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late PFC Edward H. Gesner.

His funeral will be held on Thursday, October 7, 2010 at 10am in the WARING-SULLIVAN HOME OF MEMORIAL TRIBUTE AT BIRCHCREST 189 Gardners Neck Rd., Swansea. Visiting hours will be held Wednesday from 4-7pm. Memorial contributions in his honor may be made to Beacon Hospice 182 North main St., Fall River, MA 02720. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Fall River. For tributes and directions visit: www.waring-sullivan.com