Gene, a 1949 graduate of Cathedral High School, was awarded a 4-year baseball scholarship to Loyola Marymount University of Los Angeles, receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1953. He received his Master's Degree in Business Administration from USC in 1961. From 1954 to 1956, Gene served as a commissioned officer at the Far East Air Force Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, in a position that established policy and procedures throughout the Far East Command. He worked in the family real estate company from 1956, serving as corporate president from 1961 until his retirement in 1998. During this period he was managing director of the Park Plaza Hotel, an historical and cultural landmark in the City of Los Angeles. He was active in various community organizations, such as the Wilshire Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Realty Board, and was vice-chairman of the Advisory Committee for the Westlake Community Plan. Gene especially enjoyed his involvement in Little League Baseball and Pop Warner Football, and also as a mentor for the Catholic Big Brothers / Big Sisters.
He was a long-time Eucharistic Minister at his parish, Blessed Sacrament Church, and served on a number of parish committees. Gene enjoyed planning his "tornado tours" with Kay, such as driving a rental car from Dubrovnik to Frankfurt, and from Lisbon to Paris, without reservations and on an open schedule. Gene and Kay also took numerous and relaxing cruises to interesting and historic places. He was a loving, devoted, and faithful husband and father, and was ever generous with his time and talents. Gene was predeceased by his beloved wife Kay.
He is survived by their 6 children: Gene, Michael (wife Christine), Kathy Baur Brigstocke (husband Robin), Steve (wife Jacqueline), Bonnie Chauvin (husband Randy), and Lisa Ferrari (husband Alex), plus 12 grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by another grandchild, Jacob.
The rosary (1:00 pm) and funeral Mass (1:30 pm) will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church, 6657 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, California 90028.
