Eugene John Kiliany

January 8, 1931 - July 2, 2011

Born January 8, 1931 in Scottdale, Pennsylvania. Gene was one of five children to parents Anna and John. In his formative years Gene grew up in Scottdale and attended Scottdale High School. He was involved with many clubs including the color guard, student council, and the Jr. Red Cross. He graduated in 1948 and enlisted in the Navy, he was on active duty for 4 years. After completing military service, Gene attended Wright Junior College. In 1958, he enrolled in the University of Nevada graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering. Gene was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity. With his classroom education complete, Gene went to work for Hughes Aircraft. He was proud of his work on the Hughes surveyor moon project and contributed to numerous major projects throughout his career with Hughes.

Gene was a resident of Los Angeles County for over 40 years, mostly in Manhattan Beach. Gene was a single man who lived an active lifestyle and a member of American Martyrs church since 1970. His favorite seat at the Sunday, 8:00 a.m. Mass was the far left side. Gene was also passionate about golf and a serious competitor, playing three times per week, maintaining a 7 handicap. He was a member of the Huges Aircraft Golf Association, Public Links Golf Association, and Woodley Lakes Men's Club and he won many tournaments in the summer league team play of Hughes Aircraft.

Over the years, Gene developed a circle of close friends he enjoyed spending time with; John and his wife Ann, Jack, a golf buddy and several other regular golf partners. Gene was very well liked and each Christmas he and his friends gathered together to celebrate the holiday with "the crazy gift exchange." If you knew Gene, he was a man who often voiced a strong opinion but at the same time he had a big smile displaying his humorous side. He enjoyed a stimulating conversation with his friends usually about politics or golf. He loved to ski with his good friend Ed and his wife Joan and frequented the popular ski resorts in the winter.

Gene attended his high school silver anniversary class reunion, reconnecting with his fellow classmates and had his class picture enlarged and displayed on his wall. During retirement, he continued his passion for golf at Los Amigos and Santa Anita golf courses. After being diagnosed with cancer six years ago, Gene continued to live life to the fullest as best he could. Although he underwent extensive chemotherapy/radiation treatments that left him weak, he missed less than eight weeks of golf until his last few months when he began to succumb to his disease. During his final transition, with the dedicated care provided by Trinity Hospice, and other care providers, Gene was able to spend his last days in the comfort of his home. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He is predeceased by his mother, Anna; father, John; and brother, George and is survived by his brother, Gerald; sisters, Theresa and Florence; and a host of nieces and nephews.

A POEM TO GENE:

In my hand I hold a ball

White and dimpled, but rather small

Oh, how bland it does appear,

This harmless looking little sphere

By its size I could not guess

The awesome strength it does possess;

My life has not been quite the same

Since I chose to play this game!

From his golf friends: In memory of Gene we will keep the start time at Santa Anita golf course. Gene, get back to your old form and enjoy the great game of golf; nothing would make you happier!

Arrangements under the direction of Halverson, Stone & Myers Mortuary, Torrance, CA.