1942 - 2022
Passed away peacefully at Grand River Hospital on Thursday August 25th, 2022 at the age of 80 years.
Born in Chapleau, Ontario, Gene was raised in Biscotasing and Marathon, where he excelled in most sports. An excellent curler (as skip he once scored an 8-point ender) and fastball pitcher, he was invited to a high-level baseball tryout in Texas that unfortunately ended when he broke his ankle. Upon returning to Canada, he took a job in a local paper mill. After briefly moving to Toronto to attend George Brown College, he moved to Kitchener-Waterloo in 1971 to raise his family. In 1985, he met Carolyn, when they married in 1993, Gene became a ‘new’ father of two daughters. He retired at 58 after spending nearly two decades at Union Gas. In the interim he split his time between Florida and Waterloo. He spent his time golfing, reading, playing pool and corn-hole with his friends while doting on his grandkids and rooting for the NY Yankees and the Montreal Canadiens.
Beloved husband and best friend of Carolyn Lavigne-Belanger, Loving father of Yale (Tammie), Wade (Char), Tina (Neil Forwell) and Kim (Jeff Knowles). Cherished Grandfather of Jonathan, Kevin, Matthew, and Alex. Great-Grandfather of Hunter and Autumn and special Uncle to CJ. Dear Brother of Jeanette (Tom). Beloved son of Laura Belanger (nee Barnes) and predeceased by his father Jack.
At his request, cremation will take place and a private family gathering will be held at a later date. Donation may be made to Parkinson Canada as expressions of sympathy.
Messages and condolences may be left for the family at www.tricitycremations.com or 519.772.1237. Please visit Gene's obituary notice on Facebook.
Passed away peacefully at Grand River Hospital on Thursday August 25th, 2022 at the age of 80 years.
Born in Chapleau, Ontario, Gene was raised in Biscotasing and Marathon, where he excelled in most sports. An excellent curler (as skip he once scored an 8-point ender) and fastball pitcher, he was invited to a high-level baseball tryout in Texas that unfortunately ended when he broke his ankle. Upon returning to Canada, he took a job in a local paper mill. After briefly moving to Toronto to attend George Brown College, he moved to Kitchener-Waterloo in 1971 to raise his family. In 1985, he met Carolyn, when they married in 1993, Gene became a ‘new’ father of two daughters. He retired at 58 after spending nearly two decades at Union Gas. In the interim he split his time between Florida and Waterloo. He spent his time golfing, reading, playing pool and corn-hole with his friends while doting on his grandkids and rooting for the NY Yankees and the Montreal Canadiens.
Beloved husband and best friend of Carolyn Lavigne-Belanger, Loving father of Yale (Tammie), Wade (Char), Tina (Neil Forwell) and Kim (Jeff Knowles). Cherished Grandfather of Jonathan, Kevin, Matthew, and Alex. Great-Grandfather of Hunter and Autumn and special Uncle to CJ. Dear Brother of Jeanette (Tom). Beloved son of Laura Belanger (nee Barnes) and predeceased by his father Jack.
At his request, cremation will take place and a private family gathering will be held at a later date. Donation may be made to Parkinson Canada as expressions of sympathy.
Messages and condolences may be left for the family at www.tricitycremations.com or 519.772.1237. Please visit Gene's obituary notice on Facebook.
