Eugene Best was born in Goldsboro, NC May 20th, 1945 to Henry Lyons and Katherine Best. He was the oldest of five siblings including Donald Best, Denise Lyons Fleet, Christopher Lyons, and Terence Lyons. Growing up in Goldsboro and nicknamed Jimmy, he recalled fond memories of spending time with family and exploring his grandparents’ farm. He attended and graduated from Dillard High School in Goldsboro, NC. From there he went on to attend Lincoln University (PA) from the Fall of 1963 to the Fall of 1967. Physics and math were his main areas of study. Eugene earned a Bachelor’s of Arts on May 23rd, 1971 after completing credits at Baruch College in New York.
After graduating from college Eugene sought out career opportunities in restaurant management. He worked at restaurants in New York City for a few years before meeting the love of his life, Nancy Waddell. After looking at a North Carolina A&T State University college yearbook that one of his cousins Janie had, he noticed Nancy’s photo and just had to meet her. After a courtship of four and a half years, Eugene and Nancy married in Church of the Assumption on Staten Island, NY in 1974. After marrying, they lived in Queens, NY before settling in Staten Island. Eugene and Nancy traveled to many exciting locales in and outside of the country including several states, Canada, Paradise Island Bahamas and Bermuda during their early married life.
Eugene and Nancy were blessed with three beautiful girls, Jennifer, Victoria, and Rebecca. Jennifer was born in 1975. Victoria came along in 1978 and Rebecca was born in 1981. He was a loving and devoted husband and father who was very supportive and encouraging of his daughters’ aspirations. Eugene was very proud of each daughter graduating from college (Jennifer from Harvard University, Victoria from MIT, and Rebecca from Berkeley College NYC). Throughout his work life he was a dedicated employee modeling excellence in customer service as a manager in the food services and retail industries for several companies including Arthur Treacher’s, Burger King, Roy Rogers, Nathan’s Famous, Inc., KFC, and CVS.
Eugene and his family enjoyed frequent trips to see the latest blockbuster movie in the theater, travels to Disney World, and visits with extended family in New York and North Carolina. Other hobbies he enjoyed included relaxing while reading his favorite comic books (e.g., Thor, Spider Man, etc.), keeping up with current events via the newspapers, watching westerns and Kung Fu on television, and savoring his favorite snacks including pecans, watermelons, and peanuts. For Eugene, Thanksgiving was not complete without quail and cornish hens. Fish and steak were some of his favorite foods. He was a man of deep faith who along with his family were long-time parishioners of Church of the Assumption and Church of St. Peter on Staten Island, NY.
Eugene is preceded in death by his parents; several dear aunts and uncles; his brothers Donald Best, Christopher Lyons, and Terence Lyons; and cousins Nina, Dorothy, and Sinclair. To continue his legacy, Eugene is survived by his loving wife Nancy; his children: Jennifer Webb, Victoria Best, and Rebecca Best; his sister Denise Lyons Fleet and her mother Mrs. Elaine Lyons; his son-in-law Bruce Webb and his grandson Logan Webb; his Aunt Velma and Aunt Williemae; his cousins Cynthia, Angela, Velema, Lynn, Joy Eliza, Mabel, Erving, Alvin, Craig, Calvin, and Lee, along with other relatives, friends, neighbors, and ex-coworkers.
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