Eugene Allen Schoentag

Eugene Allen Schoentag of London died after a brief illness at Rekai Centres Wellesley Central Place, Toronto on 28 Aug 2024. Son to Lawrence Schentag and Ella, nee Lear, brother to (late)Larry. Dearly loved husband to (late) Martha Isobel Allen and partner of (late) John Hull. Beloved father of Matthew Gordon (Lori), Peter Lawrence (Shela), and Mary Ruth. Loved grandad to Brody, Taylor and Jessica, Adam and Ron, and Luke, and great grandad to Harper and Lottie, Daxton Peter, and Bohdi. Loved former father-in-law to Fay.

Eugene led an interesting life; Born in Winnipeg in 1930 and growing up in Windsor ON, he developed his lifelong love of movies attending countless Saturday matinees. He worked at his father’s business, Deluxe Cleaners, and drove the delivery truck at 14 or 15 years of age. Eugene attended high school and college at Assumption College, specializing in Mathematics. He began his teaching career in Sudbury, ON in 1953, where he met fellow teacher Martha at Sudbury High. They were married in 1959 and had Matthew in 1960. Shortly after the birth, they decided to move to London ON, where they welcomed Peter and Mary Ruth to the family within the following two years.

In 1966, Eugene and family moved to Trinidad & Tobago W.I. as part of a Canadian government foreign aid program, where the tropical weather and relaxed lifestyle left their mark on Eugene, as well as a lifelong aversion to winter. Returning to London in 1968, he and Martha continued teaching at Catholic Central High, after which the family moved to Toronto in 1969.

Eugene continued teaching at Newtonbrook Secondary and Thornlea Secondary until the mid ‘70s when he decided to train and work as a private and group psychotherapist. Other changes in this period included the decision to separate from Martha and purchase and operate a co-operative shared home near Bathurst and College in downtown Toronto.

Over the ensuing years Eugene’s life took varied turns; coming out to his family in 1979, living in both a commune and a self-built cabin in Tennessee, a period in San Diego, a return to Toronto and a committed relationship with partner John Hull, business ventures with son Peter, moves to Huntsville then London ON, during which time he and Martha remarried. Following Martha’s passing in 2011, Eugene travelled to Spain to train as a meditative teacher of the Ishaya community. His lifelong urge to travel included time in the Texas Gulf, Palm Springs, New Zealand, Cuba, Mexico, Panama, and return trips to Trinidad & Tobago.

Eugene valued time spent with family and always enjoyed birthday and holiday get-togethers. Paradoxically, he was comfortable spending long periods living on his own, reading, thinking, meditating, and (habitually) napping. An avid film buff, he attended the Toronto International Film Festival many times.

Dearly loved by his family and friends, Eugene will be sadly missed, always.

Eugene will be interred with his wife Martha in the Allen Family plot at Riverview Cemetery, Wallaceburg. No services will be held.

Donations in Eugene’s memory to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada would be greatly appreciated.