My condolences to Gene's family. He was a special person. 

Gene was one of a kind. I met him through the running community 25 years ago. He was a friend and a father figure to me and my family. Always with good advice, jokes and stories. He was an inspiration to all of us. Until the lasts days living in South Florida when we visited him, he always said that he was grateful for his good life with family and friends. He was pragmatic and he said he was at the end of the line making space for the new generation to come. He always called his friends on their birthdays to play Happy Birthday. Both of us celebrate our birthday in December and that’s created another tradition. He was a special human being all the way to the end, Gene, play your harmonica to your beloved Norma now.

My neighbor Gene was a humble person who took life's ups & down in stride. His good humor endeared him to many.  It was an honor for me to help get him well-deserved publicity in the local newspaper for his brave WWII military service. Rest in peace. 

So sorry for the loss of Gene. He was such a lovely man. Always a positive voice at races. I always loved talking and laughing with him. He will be missed.