(Dwight) Gifford Reed died on July 25, 2025, at the age of 91 years. He was born on September 18, 1933, in Mt. Vernon, NY to Harrison D. and Louise (Gifford) Reed. He described his childhood as wonderful, being around farm animals and machinery as the son of an estate superintendent in the Hillcrest Park section of Old Greenwich.
His working alongside his father repairing equipment, milking cows or tending the horses were some of his happiest memories. Giff was educated in Greenwich schools and graduated from UCONN in 1956 with a degree in business. He enlisted in the Army, enjoyed the camaraderie and physicality of basic training, and was honorably discharged at the rank of Staff Sargent. As a child, he rode his bike down from Hillcrest Park to Lincoln Ave in O.G. to play and met Ruth Gisborne. Ruth and Giff dated through high school and college and married in 1957. They moved to Charleston, WV where Giff worked for Linde, Co. as a Distributor Salesman to the mining operations.
He had interesting experiences in the rural “hollers” of West Virginia and grew the only beard of his lifetime during a strike when he had to live at the plant. He returned to Old Greenwich in 1961, to work with his father-in-law at C.C. Gisborne Builders, Inc. He had a successful career in residential building throughout Greenwich and surrounding towns and enjoyed challenges in scope and design.
Service to his community was a hallmark of Giff’s life. He joined the O.G. Lions Club in 1962 and was honored for his 60 years of service with an International Honorary membership. Giff participated in their Pancake Fry entertaining the children with pancakes in the shape of bunnies, selling hundreds of cases of grapefruit and driving his Model A in the Memorial Day parade. He was enthusiastic about Lions Club’s contributions to the testing and assistance to children and adults with visual impairments and remained a member until his death. He donated over 16 gallons of blood throughout his life and encouraged others to participate in this simple, lifesaving action. Giff also served his church, First Congregational Church of Greenwich, as an active member since 1951, lending his building experience to the Building and Grounds committee for many years, and on the Board of Trustees. Giff also served 12 years on the Greenwich Board of Tax Review, and was a past President of Rocky Point Club.
Giff remained close to his TKE fraternity brothers, and was invited to vacation with one of their families at Higgins Beach in Scarborough, ME, in the early 1960’s. They enjoyed it immensely and returned annually. He and Ruth bought a cottage there in the late 70’s, and enjoyed every minute there; meeting old friends and newcomers alike, helping with Donut Wednesdays, and on the HBA board. Cocktails on the beach, boogie-boarding, laying in the hot sun, and Fogcutter parties (and the antics that ensued) brought him much laughter and happiness.
Giff loved his family and was personable to all; gracious, humble, and generous with time and funds. He was athletic; played baseball and ice hockey in his youth, as well as adult mens hockey into his 60’s. Sailing was a constant in his life. Giff and Ruth sailed together as young adults, and they owned a Rhodes 18 that he and daughter Claire raced at GCRA for several years. They co-owned a J24 with the Greles and continued to race it out of Riverside Yacht Club. He enjoyed meeting and getting to
know people wherever he went, whether that be a club, a doctor’s office or the beach. In Maine, he attended services at the Windham Hill UCC, to listen to old friend, Rev.
Sally Colegrove and meet new friends.
Giff was a devoted husband and father. He taught his daughters to be capable and self-confident and was an exemplary model as a father and husband. He counted working in the same town he lived as a blessing to allow him to attend his daughters’ weekday sports games. He and Ruth were regular spectators of their grandchildren’s sports, plays, and scouting activities, despite them living a few hours away. It was not uncommon for them to drive 3 hours to watch a 1-hour event, only to have a meal and return home.
He is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart, Ruth, daughters Claire Reed, (Jim Dacres), Marge Burke (Dan), and Jean Roche (John), and 5 grandchildren: Abigail Burke, Jeff Burke, Peter Roche, Mary Roche, and David Roche. They will remember challenging “Pop” to make ever more sophisticated pancake shapes; just a few being lobsters, Bruins jerseys, lighthouses, swimmers in a pool, and the Stanley Cup; and he happily succeeding!
A Memorial Service will be celebrated on Friday, August 1 at 12:30 pm at First Congregational Church of Greenwich, 108 Sound Beach Avenue, Greenwich, with a reception to follow at the church.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Giff’s name to the Greenwich Lions Club, giving a pint of blood, or simply helping someone today. Services are under the direction of the Fred D. Knapp Funeral Home, Greenwich, CT.