Geoffrey Karl Borgelt of Perrysburg, passed away April 11, 2022, surrounded by family, at his home in Bluffton, South Carolina. He was born on August 4, 1953, to Karl and Marilyn Borgelt of Toledo.
Geoff spent his youth playing baseball and practicing the organ. He held his first organist position at the age of 14, at St. Lucas Lutheran Church of Toledo. He graduated from Bowsher High School and attended the University of Toledo, where he graduated with a dual bachelor’s degree in music education and organ performance.
His teaching career began at St. Patrick’s of Heatherdowns. He started teaching for the Perrysburg school system in 1978 and taught at Frank Elementary, Toth Elementary, Perrysburg Junior High and Perrysburg High School before retiring in 2006. He often wrote plays and musicals for his elementary students and loved to assist with high school musicals, with “Beauty and the Beast” being his favorite.
Geoff was an organist at several Toledo area churches, with most of his time spent between First Baptist of Greater Toledo and First Presbyterian of Maumee. Reluctantly, he recently retired from St. Luke’s Methodist of Okatie, South Carolina, due to health. One of his great joys was playing on Easter Sunday. A unique opportunity to play the organ at Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago for his 50th birthday was a special highlight for him. It was always a special occasion when his wife, Bonnie, and daughter, Becky, sang while he played in church.
On an unusually hot Labor Day weekend in 1973, Geoff married Bonnie Kay Hummel in Mt. Eaton, Ohio. He loved her until his death.
Geoff and Bonnie enjoyed taking friends and family members out on their boat on the Maumee River, and later on the waters surrounding Hilton Head Island. His love for Civil War and World War II history led him on trips throughout the south, mid-Atlantic, Pearl Harbor and the beaches of Normandy.
Geoff always enjoyed rooting for the Detroit Tigers and the Ohio State Buckeyes. His granddogs and grandcat will miss him dearly, as well as the neighborhood dogs that always stopped by for a treat. Geoff was known for his sense of humor and always loved a good joke. He is fondly remembered as a loving father, grandfather, uncle, husband and friend.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Bonnie Borgelt; brother, Bruce (Karen) Borgelt of Falls Church, Virginia; children, Bryon (Jenny) of Maumee, Brent (Meghann) of Erie, Michigan, and Becky (Whitney) Ince of Pooler, Georgia; his grandchildren, Adam, Abi, Avery, Ashton, and Gracie; step-grandchildren, Marie and Colin; niece, Michelle, and nephews, Eric and Chris. He was preceded in death by his parents, Karl and Marilyn.
Friends and family celebrated Geoff’s life in Okatie, South Carolina, with a memorial service. An open house is planned for Friday, July 1, at the W.W. Knight Preserve, from 4 to 7 p.m., with remembrances at 6 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.
Considerations for memorial contributions can be made to St. Luke’s Methodist of Okatie, South Carolina, Hospice Care of the Lowcountry and the Duke University Anatomical Gifts Program.