Eugene Meier, loved telling jokes

Eugene "Sonny" Meier of Lewes passed away at the age of 81 late in the evening Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Sharon Meier. He is also survived by his loving children: daughter, Carolynn Meier deTessieres of Bowie, Md., Steven Meier of Durango, Colo., daughter, Lynda Meier of Catonsville, Md.; son-in-law, Alex deTessieres; darling grandchildren, Leah and Lucius deTessieres; brother, Paul Meier; nephew, Michael Meier (the late Yung Chi); nieces, Jodi Meier (Mike Overly), Carrie Meier (Kevin Wetter), and grand-niece, Acacia Overly. He is preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Lynn Walter Meier.

Sonny, nicknamed as a baby thanks to sharing his father's first name, was born Dec. 18, 1940, in Washington, D.C. His parents, Eugene and Marta Meier, both from Germany, met in immigration class. Eugene's sense of humor and Marta's devoted nature were passed on to both their sons. Sonny grew up in Mt. Rainier, Md., where he and his little brother Paul ran wild with a host of neighbor kids, some of whom he stayed close with their entire lives. The family attended St. John's Episcopal Church in Mt. Rainier where Sonny remained an active member for many years. He attended Northwestern High School in Hyattsville, Md., where he was a bass drummer in the marching band. Music was an important part of his life whether it was drumming on a car console, tinkering on a piano, or playing his guitar.

After graduating high school in 1958, Sonny enlisted with the U.S. Air Force where he served as a policeman. His service took him to Massachusetts, Texas, and eventually Paris, France where he would spend his evenings playing acoustic guitar in local bars. Sonny was born a natural showman and would always be well-received by audiences. His service in the USAF led him to be a lifelong airplane enthusiast. Throughout his life, he was quick to abruptly call out the make and model of an aircraft.

In 1963, Sonny met the love of his life, Sharon, on a blind date. They were married May 14, 1966, and soon after bought their longtime home in Lanham, Md. Sonny had several jobs including working for an automatic door company, a new technology at the time. He then worked as a linotype machinist at The Washington Star newspaper. Always wanting to communicate with everyone he encountered, he learned sign language from his deaf coworkers at The Star. He and Sharon welcomed their first daughter, Carolynn, in 1968.  Sonny shared the news of their firstborn by painting a sheet-sized sign reading "IT'S A GIRL!" and hanging it across the front of their house. He would do this for all his children; Steven in 1971 and Lynda in 1976.

After being trained as a certified electrical controls technician in the mid-1970s, Sonny worked for Robertshaw Controls, where he was contracted to work with various companies including the Mobil Corporation in northern Virginia. He enjoyed his coworkers, and they, he. Sonny remained with Robertshaw Controls (Siebe/Invensys) until he retired in 2007.

Sonny remained a devoted member of St. John's Episcopal Church, Mt. Rainier, where he served on the vestry as senior warden, junior warden, then treasurer.  Sonny's gregarious personality resulted in him being asked to lead many fellowship events where he emceed raffles, led pancake suppers, and always helped in any way he could.

Sonny was also active with the Diocese of Washington in a variety of ways. In the mid-1980s, he served as a delegate at the General Convention of The Episcopal Church. Sonny also participated in a D.C. area interfaith ministry group which promoted respect, understanding, and camaraderie within the community.

One of his closest friends was Fr. Tom Engram of St. John's. It was that friendship that led to Sonny and his family spending summer weekends at Fr. Tom’s beach house near Millsboro. In 1999, Sonny and Sharon bought land nearby as they planned their retirement.

In 2007, Sonny and Sharon moved from Lanham to Lewes as they began their well-deserved retirement. He began attending St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Lewes, where he enjoyed simply being a parishioner. Soon after, Sonny was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease - something he was all too familiar with due to his father’s diagnosis many years before. Sonny became active in the Parkinson's Education and Support Group of Sussex County. His big personality was welcomed at any event, and for a few years, he led a Parkinson’s exercise group. Sonny remained involved with the group until a few years ago when he became more reserved and private.

In addition to music, Sonny had a variety of interests during his life. On many a summer weekend, he could be found tending to his robust vegetable garden, often making it a fun activity to share with his kids. Sonny was most proud of his homegrown tomatoes. Sonny coached many of his kids’ sports teams including tee-ball, soccer, and basketball. When not coaching, he could be found yelling from the sidelines like most proud parents. Sonny was a fan of bluegrass music and unapologetically blared DC’s 88.5 FM throughout the house most Saturday mornings in the early 1980s. He was also an excellent maker of German pancakes - a family breakfast favorite.

He had a knack for telling his kids “We’re going on a bike ride,” not disclosing the distance or destination. The distance, long; the destination, Tastee Freez, a favored ice cream shop and a delightful payoff for all.

When his mother needed more care later in her life, almost daily, Sonny would visit her on his way home from work to be sure she was well. When she could no longer live alone, Sonny and his family welcomed her into their home to care for her until her passing.

Sonny brought light into every room he entered. He made strangers feel at ease. He was proud of his family and never failed to regularly thank them for their help, especially these past few years. He was a devoted husband, father, and son. He loved his grandchildren, humans and pets alike. Humor was the family’s love language with which he was surrounded up through his final hours. He was a favorite in every community in which he participated and always had a joke at the ready. Sonny made so many people laugh throughout his life and would be delighted if that is how he’s remembered. 

A graveside service with urn entombment will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 17, at St. Peter's Pilottown Cemetery, Pilottown Rd., Lewes.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Eugene “Sonny” Meier may be made to Parkinson's Education and Support Group of Sussex County, sussexdeparkinsons.com, or The Michael J. Fox Foundation, michaeljfox.org.

Visit Sonny's Life Memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.