Thomas C. Gieffels Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Thomas C. Gieffels, 85, of Benicia passed away Wednesday in a local hospital following a brief illness. He was a native and lifelong Benicia resident. Tom was a Fireman in the City of Benicia for over 33 years, 23 of those years as Chief. He was appointed Chief by the City Council in 1951 and served in that capacity until his retirement. He was the youngest Fire Chief in the United States at the time. Tom was also the Assistant Fire Marshall for Solano County and was instrumental in starting the Benicia Junior Volunteer Fire Department in 1969. Following his retirement, Tom spent many years in construction beginning with Mallard Construction and finally several years with Tickner Construction. Tom is survived by his sons Tom (Carol) & Sam (Tracey) Gieffels; daughter Susan Cecil; sister Joan Corriera; grandchildren Carey Ann Reed, Robert Joseph Carr, Claire Gieffels & Thomas J. Gieffels; great grandchildren Anthony Mallon, Isla Brynn Carr and Aubry Civillia Carr; and great great grandchildren Emmitt Samuel Mallon and Finnegan Thomas Mallon and his dear friend and companion Ida Mae Cunningham. Tom was preceded in death by his wife Civillia in 1985, son Patrick in 1964, his daughter Sandra in 1952 and his siblings Walter, Gieffels, Ellen O’Connell, Jack Gieffels, Patsy Fields, George Gieffels, Phyliss Andrade, James “Buddy” Gieffels & Robert Gieffels. Vigil services will be held 7:00 p.m. Monday at Passalacqua Funeral Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at St. Dominic’s Church. Burial will be in St. Dominic’s Cemetery. Visitation will be at the mortuary after 2:00 p.m. Monday. Family prefers donations to the Solano County Fireman's Association, P.O. Box 409, Fairfield, CA 94533.

Thomas C. Gieffels

July 28, 1928 - June 24, 2015