BREWER – Eugene C. “Gene” Tracy, 72, passed away Oct. 10, 2009, with his wife by his side, after a brave battle with brain cancer. Gene was born Jan. 17, 1937, in Sherman, the son of Arnold E. and Leola Vivian (Shaw) Tracy. Gene graduated from Brewer High School in 1955. He attended Ricker College, Houlton, and Nasson College, Springvale, majoring in business administration. He played baseball at Brewer High School and with Brewer VFW team, as well as basketball at Ricker College and basketball and baseball at Nasson College. Gene worked at Merrill Trust Co., Bangor, from 1958 to 1961. He was the general manager of Banks Auto Supply Co., Bangor, from 1961 to 1976. Gene was the owner and sole proprietor of The Village Way convenience store in Brewer from 1976 to 1986, and he retired from Bangor Savings Bank in 1999. During this time, Gene served eight years in the U.S. Army Reserve, coached Brewer and SAD 63 Farm League and Little League baseball for 10 years, served eight years on the board of directors of SAD 63 as chairman of the education committee and chairman of the transportation committee. He served on Eddington Planning Board for five years and as chairman of that board for one year. He is a past co-chairman of the commercial division of the United Way, past member of City Club of Bangor and past president of Bangor-Brewer Triangle Club. After retirement, Gene enjoyed many hours of gardening, doing crossword puzzles and playing golf. He enjoyed University of Maine sports, especially Black Bear Football, and tailgated almost every home football game and several away games, rain, shine or snow, for more than 40 years. He was a member of Rocky Knoll Country Club, Orrington, University of Maine Friends of Maine Football and Black Bear Club. Gene is survived by his wife of 29 years, Nancy B. Tracy; daughters, Kimberly Lamson of Portland, Kathleen Wadleigh of Veazie, and Karen Down and her husband, Joshua, of Cumberland Center; grandchildren, Jessica Lamson of Philadelphia, Joshua Lamson of Gorham, Gwen Wadleigh and Amy Wadleigh of Veazie, and Allison Dow of Cumberland Center; brother, Bertram Tracy of Dover-Foxcroft; uncle and aunt, Ronald and Helen Shaw of Oxford, Mass.; aunt, Ella Shaw of Enfield; father-in-law, Robert E. Bishop of Belfast; sister-in-law, Carol Spinney and her husband, Gary, of West Rockport; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Relatives and friends are welcome to call 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Brookings-Smith, Clark-Piper Chapel, 55 South Main St., Brewer, where a funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, with the Rev. Dr. Randall C. Chretien, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Bangor, officiating. After the service relatives and friends are welcome to share conversation and refreshments at Muddy Rudder Restaurant, Chamberlain Room, 5 South Main St., Brewer. A private interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery, Caribou. Those wishing to remember Gene in a special way may make gifts in his memory to Friends of Maine Football, University of Maine Football Office, 5747 Memorial Gym, Orono, ME 04469-5747. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
EUGENE C. ‘GENE’ TRACY
