Obituary for Richard G. Leister
On Monday, December 21, Richard G. Leister, of Navesink, passed away at the age of 59. Known affectionately as “The Sarge” by those who loved and best knew him, he was a loving husband and father of four boys. Rich was born on July 12, 1961 to Richard and Marilyn (Egbert) Leister. A Harrison native and a 1979 graduate of Queen of Peace High School, he would eventually join the North Arlington Police Department, where he would work for over 25 years, attaining the rank of Detective Sergeant. He served his community with immense pride and had an undying gratitude for his NAPD brotherhood. On St. Patrick’s Day 1990, he married Patricia J. Gilson, with whom he would have four sons: Conor Patrick, Sean Francis, Richard William, and Kieran James.
Before relocating to Monmouth County in 2006, Rich was a resident of Rutherford, where he was a respected youth soccer coach for several years. After retiring as a police officer, he worked as a beloved security guard at The Ranney School in Tinton Falls. He loved attending soccer and basketball games at his sons’ alma mater, Christian Brothers Academy. A season ticket holder for 20+ years, Rich’s love for the New Jersey Devils was rivaled only by his hatred of the New York Rangers; he was one of only 334 fans in attendance at the infamous Devils “blizzard game” of 1987. Rich enjoyed spending time at his “bungalow” at the Compound on Long Beach Island. Afflicted with the inability to say no to a good time, he suffered from a debilitating case of FOMO. The embodiment of the word ‘gregarious,’ he could hold a conversation with a wall. Rich lit up any room he entered with his trademark smile and combination of charisma, humor, and shamelessness.
Rich was predeceased by his parents, Richard and Marilyn; and his brother, Robert.
Rich is survived by his wife, Patricia J., and his four sons, Conor, Sean, Richard, and Kieran, as well as his brother, David; his sister, Carol Aquino, and her husband, Tony; his sister, Elaine Frick, and her husband, James; his sister-in-law, Cathy Jo; his brother, James, and his wife, Talin; his mother-in-law, Jean B. Gilson; brothers-in-law, Donald (Aggie), Michael (Kathleen), and Thomas; sisters-in-law, Kathleen St. Germain (Paul), Jeanne O’Connor (Joseph), and Carol Guido (Richard). He is also survived by his nieces and nephews and their families: Derrick, Lauren, Amy, Daniel, Allison, Melissa, Jessica, Jimmy, Matt, Andrew, Julia, Charles, Bryan, Kaitlyn, Steven, Danielle, Kelly, Kristen, Megan, Matthew, Ryan, Tara, Michael, Riley, Shea, Owen, Luke, Cole, and Kaleigh. Uncle Dickie/Sarge adored all of his great-nieces and nephews too.
A celebration of his life will be planned for July 2021.
Before relocating to Monmouth County in 2006, Rich was a resident of Rutherford, where he was a respected youth soccer coach for several years. After retiring as a police officer, he worked as a beloved security guard at The Ranney School in Tinton Falls. He loved attending soccer and basketball games at his sons’ alma mater, Christian Brothers Academy. A season ticket holder for 20+ years, Rich’s love for the New Jersey Devils was rivaled only by his hatred of the New York Rangers; he was one of only 334 fans in attendance at the infamous Devils “blizzard game” of 1987. Rich enjoyed spending time at his “bungalow” at the Compound on Long Beach Island. Afflicted with the inability to say no to a good time, he suffered from a debilitating case of FOMO. The embodiment of the word ‘gregarious,’ he could hold a conversation with a wall. Rich lit up any room he entered with his trademark smile and combination of charisma, humor, and shamelessness.
Rich was predeceased by his parents, Richard and Marilyn; and his brother, Robert.
Rich is survived by his wife, Patricia J., and his four sons, Conor, Sean, Richard, and Kieran, as well as his brother, David; his sister, Carol Aquino, and her husband, Tony; his sister, Elaine Frick, and her husband, James; his sister-in-law, Cathy Jo; his brother, James, and his wife, Talin; his mother-in-law, Jean B. Gilson; brothers-in-law, Donald (Aggie), Michael (Kathleen), and Thomas; sisters-in-law, Kathleen St. Germain (Paul), Jeanne O’Connor (Joseph), and Carol Guido (Richard). He is also survived by his nieces and nephews and their families: Derrick, Lauren, Amy, Daniel, Allison, Melissa, Jessica, Jimmy, Matt, Andrew, Julia, Charles, Bryan, Kaitlyn, Steven, Danielle, Kelly, Kristen, Megan, Matthew, Ryan, Tara, Michael, Riley, Shea, Owen, Luke, Cole, and Kaleigh. Uncle Dickie/Sarge adored all of his great-nieces and nephews too.
A celebration of his life will be planned for July 2021.