Some readers have heard of albums going platinum. Back in the days of vinyl records, selling over a million copies of a song or LP was the highest achievement a recording artist could attain. Likewise, when a marriage reaches the milestone of 70 years, platinum is the traditional anniversary gift. It’s a rare and wonderful accomplishment that should be acknowledged by the entire community, and in Gil and Marion Pfeiffer, Smithfield has just such a couple to honor.
August 28, 2024, officially marked the 70th anniversary of the local couple, who met in 1954. Marion was 19, living in Harmony and working at Amica Insurance with Gil’s sister, who introduced Marion to her brother. The pair immediately hit it off, and Gil, who was from nearby Seekonk, didn’t waste any time. It was a brief courtship, and four months later they were married. Their whirlwind engagement and wedding were followed by an actual windstorm that went by the name of Hurricane Carol, which is listed among the worst tropical cyclones on record to affect the southeastern New England states. Gil and Marion were honeymooning in New Hampshire when Carol roared through with winds over 105 mph. Carol caused tremendous damage, enough to make it the costliest hurricane in the nation’s history. The newlyweds weathered that storm, which served to prepare them for the ups and downs (but mostly ups) that the next 70 years of marriage would throw their way.
When Gil and Marion exchanged vows, Dwight D. Eisenhower, the nation’s 34th President of the United States, occupied the White House. In 1954, the average cost of a new house was $10,250 and the average yearly earnings were $4,100. You could buy a new car for $1,700 and gas was 21-cents a gallon. On the Waterfront, starring Marlon Brando, was playing in theaters, and the price of a ticket was 70 cents.
Gil, who was a carpenter by trade, built his new bride a house out of the wood from the oak trees on a plot of land in Smithfield. It’s the same home they live in today, though with numerous upgrades and additions through the years, not only to the property, but to their family. The Pfeiffers raised three children there, who gave them five grandsons and five great grandsons and one great granddaughter.
They both worked hard their whole lives. Gil vividly remembers wanting a bicycle when he was 11 years old and his father telling him that he could earn the money for the bike by working for a neighbor in their green house, so that’s what he did.
Today, he and Marion remain just as active after retirement. They belong to two senior centers where they participate in a variety of activities.
“There’s something going on most of the time,” Gil says. “We love it.”
Among their favorite things to do is play High Low Jack. Tuesdays at the Smithfield Senior Center is a popular bocce league, which they run. Gil also likes to shoot pool.
“And we enjoy going to the different parties they have,” Marion adds. “They’re always a lot of fun.”
Asked what their secret is to a long and healthy marriage, both agreed that it is simply accepting your significant other for who they are and overlooking all the insignificant things.
“That’s important,” Gil says. “Two people are always going to be different, so it isn’t important to be right all the time.”
The family organized a party to officially commemorate the Gil’s and Marion’s milestone on September 6, gathering at the Coast Guard House in Narragansett.

“You love each other at first,” Gil says, “but then you learn to like each other. That sounds funny, but really, it’s the best thing in the world.”
I believe him. It’s hard to argue with a man who has been married for 70 years. Gil and Marion are both happy, and you can’t help but be happy for them, too.