Richard Alfred Nesline, of Naples, Fla., died peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family, on June 24, after a courageous battle with cancer. “Rit,” as he was best known, was 83 years old.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ellen; parents Martin and Olive; and brothers Lawrence Nesline and Robert Nesline. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Geri Nesline of Naples; brother Gerald Nesline and Pat of Walnut, Calif.; sister Marlyn Luther and Tom of La Porte, Ind.; children and spouses, Karen (Nesline) Macknight and Kevin of Newtown, David Nesline and Deirdre of Hillsboro Beach, Fla., Jane Nesline of Newtown, and Darin Nesline and Wendy of Morrison, Colo.; stepsons Harold Bochino and Laura of Newtown, John Bochino, and Marc Bochino and Sara of Timnath, Colo.; as well as ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Born to Martin Nesline and Olive Hackett Nesline in Norwalk, Rit grew up in a loving family with his four siblings, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. At age 15, he started his career as journeyman carpenter, attending a four-year apprenticeship while continuing his education at Norwalk High School until his graduation in 1954. At the age of 17, he joined the US Naval Reserve Seabees construction brigade and was honorably discharged after eight years of service. He continued a lifelong career as a master carpenter, using his skills throughout the years as a respected home builder, custom cabinet maker, and crafts-artisan. Rit used his charisma and creativity to “build” a successful bagel business, Bagel City of Naples, Fla. His compassion and guidance were well known among employees, customers, family, and friends. In retirement he continued to find joy in the kitchen making bagels, and woodworking in his shop.

Rit spent his early years camping, fishing, and swimming with his brothers, sister, and friends. He was a lover of jazz, enjoying live music and dancing as a teen and throughout his entire life. He enjoyed playing the organ and, later in life, the piano. As a teenager, he met his first wife and best friend, Ellen Griebsch, and they married in February of 1956. They had four children, Karen, David, Jane, and Darin. An active father, Rit was a Boy Scout leader and Girl Scout “Dad” and enjoyed many family trips to Indiana and Florida. He was always there for his children and grandchildren, seeing them off to school, attending recitals and ball games, and was always there to talk. To family and friends, Rit always reached out his hand to help, asking nothing in return. Rit and Ellen spent over 30 beautiful years together raising their family throughout Norwalk, Ridgefield, and finally on Taunton Lake in Newtown, until Ellen’s untimely death in 1987.

In the following years, Rit was able to find love once more with his current wife, Geri Faustine, and they wed in June of 1988. Geri brought three boys into the family, Butch, John, and Marc. Rit was proud to call them sons and share his love with now seven children. Rit and Geri lived together in Newtown for several years before moving to Naples, where they resided for the last 27 years, as well as 6 years in Atlanta, Ga., and at Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee.

Their life together brought them on many adventures: traveling the country, countless cruises, and several trips abroad, including family visits in Germany, Ecuador, and Italy. Rit loved life and lived it fully. He was an avid pool, poker, and craps player, and loved golfing. Rit’s truest passion was fishing; from his first trout as a young boy, to the memorable opening-days-of-fishing on Taunton Lake, the hours spent on Lake Oconee in his bass boat, and of course, in the Everglades, fishing the mangroves of Chokoloskee Bay with his son David, and on the annual fishing trips shared by many over the last 15 years.

Rit embodied kindness, strength, humility, and compassion to all he encountered. His stories, knowledge, and character continue with his sons and daughters and his spirit will continue to guide us all. He will forever be remembered as an unconditionally loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to all.

A Catholic memorial service will be forthcoming.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Avow Hospice of Naples, at avowcares.org.