I can't believe it has been a year since we said good bye to Gene.  I think about him often especially on Nascar weekends and wanting to discuss (email) the race results each week... we were big Marin Truex Jr. fans and I can only guess his colorful commentary.  

There is hardly a week that goes by that I am not sharing Gene & Bob stories with my grand daughter, family and friends.  

I mostly miss solving the world's problems with him.  Bless you Gene... I will never forget you.  

So sorry for your loss and pray your family finds peace.  I grew up with Gene in Chicago Ridge, Il. Nello and Betty were my adopted parents and were invited to all Sumner gatherings.  
Frances Sumner

On behalf of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Class of 1964, I convey our sympathy to Gene's family and friends.  RIP, Gene.

I am very disheartened to learn today of Gene’s passing. We were confirmed together at St. Mark’s, attended both grammar school and high school together. Gene was the first cousin of my closest friend for all those years, Sandy, so we shared many great times together too. 
My fondest memory of Gene was swooning over him as he practiced guitar in his parents’ garage in Chicago Ridge. I honestly to this very day cannot listen to LaBamba without visualizing him playing it and attempting to sing the words in Spanish. His idol at the time was Richie Valens and Eugene was indeed mine!
May God rest his soul and give you all His peace. I will remember Gene with kindness and wonderful memories. 

Gene and Garrett, we’re always fixing cars, washers& Dryers, lawnmower’s the boat. Running wire’s for speaker’s , . You name it they always helped each other . What a wonderful time they had together ♥️

We had so much fun when we were kids from playing ball to having pet crows to swimming in the cemetery to working in his dads store.
R,I.P.  Gene
Your second brother
Reid

I worked with Gene at AT&T for years.  We were both very frustrated that we couldn't "fix" the company.  A good friend.

Gene and I grew up in the telecommunications industry at Bell Labs and AT&T in Denver from 1969 to 1990.  The last 9 of those years we were total sidekicks everyday positively impacting new product development… we were known as the “killer Bs”.

We taught each other so many aspects of personal and business life.  Gene and I talked about everything… the good, the bad and the ugly.  Together we enjoyed photography, pickup trucks, motor cycles, Corvettes,  the Broncos, soccer and NASCAR auto racing.  

There was no other friend in my life that I enjoyed more than Gene… we truly understood and respected each other.  As we moved around the company and country we worked hard to maintain our relationship.  

I think our friendship grew the most over the last 10 of our 50 year relationship even though we mostly communicated by email 2000 miles apart.   Gene is my best friend forever… I love him and will never forget.   

So many of my childhood memories involve Gene.  Our family get-togethers were always lively and fun, and quite often involved music.  Some of my most cherished times were when Gene and his band would practice in his parents garage, and Aunt Betty and Uncle Nello would come out and dance with us, as the band was practicing. As I was 5 years younger than Gene, I always felt so “cool” just because I was his little cousin. 4th of July was always the best, and involved yard parties, carnivals and all the family gathered around. The best memory was when Gene and his band “The Mercies” played on one of the floats in the Chicago Ridge Parade, and won 1st place for being the best band at the carnival. I was so proud that he was my cousin. Gene was a great story teller, and could talk for hours, especially if he had an audience.  Things were never dull when Gene was at the party. 
Through his final years, he showed so much strength, and was determined to have a full life. He loved reminiscing and sharing those great memories. He will be greatly missed. Rest peacefully my dear cousin….you are still loved. 

As many know Gene and I were born 2 days apart.  We were always together as kids and lived close together.  He was more like a brother then a cousin.  We shared many fun happy times together. He will be missed so much.  My prayers and thoughts are with his family.  He was a real fighter toward the end.  Rest in peace Gene.  Love you!

I know it's not much, but I was lucky enough to be on the soccer team with your son Garrett and you were the coach. Couldn't let the opportunity slip to thank you Coach for your time, the great coaching, and memories of that team! 

So sad to hear about Gene’s passing. He had emailed me just a few days before and sent me a list of songs that he and his band covered when he was much younger. My cousins Jan and Sandy and I always loved listening to him and his music. Gene was always a part of family get togethers growing up. We’d go to Aunt Betty  and Uncle Anello’s house for the Fourth of July and head downstairs to hear the band jam. Jan and I are about five years younger than Gene and we just thought he was the coolest!
I last saw him at his mom’s 90th birthday party celebration. We had a chance to talk and catch up a little bit. I’m so glad that he reached out to me just last week. It really meant a lot to me to hear from him. Kathleen and 
family,  please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

OBITUARY

Eugene Anello Bragalone

November 10, 1946 – September 24, 2021

Howe Mortuary & Crematory

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services