Gene was born 02/05/1943 in Chaumont, N.Y. He joined the Navy in 1959 and was assigned to the Sea Bees in Orlando, Florida. He later joined the USAF in 1962 after becoming acquainted with John Glenn and Alan Sheppard, Astronauts at Cape Canaveral. Gene retired 1/01/1984 from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska as a Master Sargent with 24 years of military service. He then worked for the State of Alaska as Food Program Manager for the State's Juvenile Detention Facility Retiring again in

1990. He also became a Private Pilot in single engine land Aircraft while in Alaska.

Gene began his career as a cook, was quickly elevated to Generals Aid and VIP Chef. He was the chef at SAC HQS, Offutt AB and personally worked for three presidents: Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford and Ronald Regan as well as numerous celebrities, including many foreign and American dignitaries. Gene served as Dining facility manager, Officers Club food Manager, Flight kitchen manager,

Quality Assurance inspector on the services portion of the 16-billion-dollar RCA Contract for Alaska's 14 AC & W Radar Sites throughout Alaska (much flight time).

He also won the Hennessy Trophy in Spain for the best facility in USAFE and held several other related positions.

After retiring he worked military missions around the globe including Fort Drum, N.Y. Camp Atterbury, Indiana, Saudi Arabia, Albania, Kosovo, Germany and for Hess Oil in St. Croix, USVI as well as short missions in several other countries.

He settled near his home town in N. Y. and worked as project manager for the County's senior meal program sending out and serving in over 550 meals daily.

Gene completely retired in 2009. In 2013 his wife of 47 years passed away.

Gene relocated to Fort Payne, Alabama in 2014 and married his current wife Brenda, which he now calls his forever home.