Eugene “Geno” Russell Secoolish went home to God on Monday, January 20, 2020 surrounded by the love and care of family and close friends. Eugene entered this world on September 6, 1940 in Scranton, PA. Formerly of Union NJ, Geno most recently resided in Wilmington, DE with his cousin, Wendy and her husband, Richard.
Eugene was a uniquely special man that touched so many lives. His final years have been spent in good health and enjoying the things he loved most: good food, family, friends, and board games. Geno’s youthful spirit gave the impression that he would outlive us all! If you could not find him, look at the kitchen table. He could be found there with dice in hand playing Parcheesi or checkers, waiting for his next great meal. “Gene the Machine” was so tenderly loved by all. To know him was to love him whole- heartedly. He incapsulated the innocence that we are all born with, but rarely sustain.
He saw life in such a positive light and was so beautifully pure of heart. His love for the simple pleasures in life and ever-present smile made him impossible to resist.
Eugene spent his summers on Long Beach Island, NJ. He was fondly dubbed the “Checker Champ” of 40th Street. Everyone seemed to know him there and would be quick to share a “Geno story” of years passed. Countless friends would pass by the shore house or his beach chair and challenge him to a game of checkers. Geno could frequently be spotted at Dom’s for a treat, Lucille’s Candy Shoppe, riding the gator, chatting with lifeguards, or sunning himself on the beach. Eugene’s playful demeanor made him popular with all age groups. 40th Street will never be the same!
Eugene is survived by his beloved aunt, Nancy Gasparine and Rocco Burdi; his first cousins, Wendy (Richard E.) Colliss and Jane (Bob) Wilber, Maureen D’Arcy; his adoring second cousins, Ashley (Mario) Procope, Richard L. Colliss, Benjamin (Nicole) Wilber, Robbie (Kristina) Wilber, Amy (Frank) Gallo, and Christopher D’Arcy. He sadly leaves behind his youngest cousins to whom he was so very attached, including Juliet and Aurora Procope, Alexa Wilber, Archer Colliss, Abbigail and Matthew Gallo. Eugene is predeceased by his mother, Mary; his father, Peter; his brother, Peter.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Church, 10 Old Church Road, Greenville, DE 19807 on Sunday, February 9 at 3:00PM. A Celebration of Life will follow at Bella Vita at Cavaliers Country Club, 100 Addison Drive, Newark, DE 19702.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Eugene R. Secoolish, please visit our floral store.