Gene Molnar

Since God knew that Gene would always want plenty of people around to celebrate his birthday, He brought him into this world on Christmas Eve, 1937. He was the oldest child of Emery and Mary (Yurchak) Molnar. Gene was born and raised in Dunmore, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the University of Scranton in 1959 with a B.S. in Business. While at the University, he was set up on a blind date with Kateri Cavanagh, who would remain the love of his life. They married in 1961 and started their new life together in Binghamton, NY. Their dream of a big family would soon follow with the blessing of their seven children.

Gene worked at IBM as a cost engineer until retiring in 1993. He started his second career as a realtor before relocating to Cary, NC in 1995. There he became an associate broker at Keller-Williams, where he enjoyed working with clients even at 82! Slowing down and getting old was never an option. Keller-Williams was like a family to him and he especially looked forward to their annual “Family Reunion”. Real estate was definitely more of a passion than a job to him.

Gene lived life to the fullest and enjoyed many hobbies throughout his life including singing, painting, reading, daily puzzles, gardening, bridge, and traveling with Kateri. He also loved visiting Goodberry’s Frozen Custard. This may have been one of the reasons he spent many hours working out (or socializing) at the Cary YMCA. He had a fun competitive spirit and took on the Y’s challenge by becoming one of the top most frequent visitors.

He was always challenging himself to learn, whether it be new music for the Cary Concert Singers, new plants for their yard, new marketing strategies for real estate, or new oil painting techniques. He enjoyed many years taking oil painting classes and painting dozens of canvases. One of his favorite things to paint was flowers.

Gene was a loving husband, father and “Papa” who valued time with his family more than anything else. He never missed an opportunity to cheer his seven children on and boy, could he cheer! He could always be heard above the crowds at swim meets, basketball, football and little league games. He attended countless band concerts, school plays, diving and gymnastic competitions, graduations and award ceremonies. There was never a time that Gene wasn’t there for the ones who needed him.

It was important to Gene to always make time for family vacations, beginning with the original Molnar 9 and gradually growing to 34! He loved planning fun games and activities and never forgot to bring his giant bubble wands. He enjoyed playing games, jumping waves, playing in the ocean, celebrating happy hour and being a judge in the sand castle contests, but he also loved escaping to a quiet place with a good book.

His laugh was so distinctive and infectious and he brought so much joy to others. Gene never missed an opportunity to pull a prank or get a rise out of people. He loved dressing up for Halloween and put so much effort into his costumes. He went as far as to go to KFC for a chicken bone to complete his caveman costume! As a result, he often won prizes for his creativity.

Gene was always game for an adventure and traveled to many different places with Kateri. When asked where his favorite place to travel was, without missing a beat, he said it was to Cape May, NJ where they spent over 35 years volunteering at the Marianist Family Retreat Center (Mary’s House). Cape May was his “Little Heaven by the Sea” and it was one of the many places where he shared his faith and wisdom with his own family as well as hundreds of others. He especially loved working in the kitchen at Mary’s House where he helped cook for all of the families on retreat there.

After moving to NC, Gene and Kateri became members of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church where they attended daily mass. He was actively involved as a lector, Eucharistic minister and men’s prayer group.

Gene is survived by Kateri, his wife of 58 years as well as seven children: Maureen Rudy (Bruce); Maria Moloney (Rob); Meghan Heinchon (Shawn); Molly Nuckols (Mike); Michelle Lesperance (Brian); Margy Hazelton (Terry); and Michael Molnar (Jennifer). He has nineteen grandchildren: Katie, Mindy, Marybeth, and Jacob Rudy; Danielle, Patrick, Meghan, Keegan, and Ryan Moloney; Jack, Matthew and Maggie Nuckols; Kaley and Chase Lesperance; Gavin, Wyatt, and Ellie Hazelton; and Grace and Will Molnar. He also leaves behind his sisters Mary Ellen Jellock and Virginia Holeva (Bud) and his brother, Richard Molnar as well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Gene also had many granddogs: Tucker, Jackson, Buttercup, Lucy, Max, Ruthie, Eddie, Grandpa and one silly grandcat, Frank.

Gene was preceded in death by his father, Emery and his mother, Mary.

His family wishes to thank the incredible staff at Duke Cancer Center, especially Dr. Gerry Blobe for their care and compassion. Gene and his family were also blessed by the loving, tender care that he received from the team at Transitions Hospice Care.

In lieu of flowers, if you wish to honor Gene’s life, please consider making a donation in his name to: Transitions LifeCare or Marianist Family Retreat Center (click on links below under donations to be redirected to their pages)

A celebration of Gene’s life will be held at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 804 High House Road Cary, NC 27513 on Thursday, July 9, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Masks will be required. You may view the celebration by livestream by clicking the "join livestream" link below under services at the time of the service.