Eugene D. "Gene" Gavrish

     Mr. Eugene D. "Gene" Gavrish, 79, a resident of South Wilkes-Barre, passed into Eternal Life in the presence of his family while in the care of Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center following a prolonged battle with kidney disease.

     Born November 22, 1940 in Nanticoke, he was the last surviving of five children to the late John and Nellie (Gill) Gavrish.  Educated in the Nanticoke schools, Gene was a member of the 1958 graduating class of the Greater Nanticoke Area High School.  Later in life and wanting to take a hands-on approach in fixing his daughter's classic Ford Mustang, he took classes in auto body repair at the Wilkes-Barre Area Vocational-Technical School in Plains Township.

     Until his retirement, he was employed as a supervisor for the iBet department of Mohegan Sun Pocono.  Prior to that, he was a truck driver for Kay Wholesale in Hanover Township and served as manager for the Pantry Quik on Carey Avenue and the former Genetti's Supermarket of East End.  

       Gene proudly was a member of the 109th Infantry with the Pennsylvania National Guard in his youth. He earned the distinction of 4th Degree Knight of Columbus having held membership with the Assumpta Council #3987 of Luzerne.  He attended the Church of Saint Nicholas in Wilkes-Barre. 

     In his spare time, he enjoyed playing pool and bowling with family and friends as well as the annual summer vacations to Ocean City, Maryland.

     A consummate family man, one of his most cherished traditions was reciting "The Night Before Christmas" each year to his daughters and their children following the family's Christmas Eve meal together.  His larger-than-life presence will be greatly missed by all those he touched in this life.

     He and his wife, the former Geraldine D. Switras celebrated fifty-six years of married life together on September 14th of last year.

     Mr. Gavrish was preceded by his sister Flossie; Brothers, Ronnie, Chet, Edward, and most recently, by a granddaughter, Savannah.

     Left to cherish the wonderful memories they hold of their father in addition to his beloved wife Gerri at home are the couple's daughters, Sherry Carmelengo and her companion, Cole Blackwell of Wilkes-Barre; Terri Menichelli and her husband Paul of Pittston; Joy Gavrish and Lori Gavrish, both of Wilkes-Barre; The apples of his eyes, his granddaughters, Alexa, Destinee, Gionna and Mariah; Several nieces, nephews and dear friends.

     Funeral services for Mr. Gavrish will be conducted on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. from the Wilkes-Barre Heights location of the John V. Morris Family Funeral Homes Inc., 281 East Northampton Street.  The Reverend Joseph D. Verespy, pastor of Saint Nicholas Roman Catholic Church will serve as celebrant and homilist.  Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery, 1594 South Main Street, Hanover Township.

     Relatives and friends may join Mrs. Gavrish and her family for visitation and shared remembrances Friday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services at the funeral home.

     In lieu of floral tributes, memorial donations in Mr. Gavrish's memory are suggested to the National Kidney Foundation serving Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey at 1500 Walnut Street; Suite #301 Philadelphia, PA 19102.

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