James Eugene Tenace

James Eugene Tenace, 89, of Butler, beloved father, husband, uncle and friend to many, passed away peacefully Saturday morning with a golden ray of sunshine beaming down on his face and with his loving children by his side at the VNA Inpatient Hospice.

Gene was born on June 30, 1925, in Bairdsford to Italian immigrant parents, Lucia and Pietro Tenace, who came to this country to make a better life for their children.

At 17, Gene enlisted in the Navy and proudly served aboard the USS Massachusetts until the end of World War II, surviving the sometimes unsurvivable. He was involved in more than 18 battles, one of which was the battle of Iwo Jima.

After the war, Gene met and married the love of his life, Marie Sacco Tenace, and with her went to have three children, Darian Tenace, Jamie Tenace and Rachelle Tenace Oberndorfer, who they both adored. Also surviving are his son-in-law, Juergen Oberndorfer; his grandsons, Adriano Oberndorfer and Luca Oberndorfer, along with nieces and nephews and many, many good friends.

Gene worked most of his life at the Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad as conductor, a job he truly loved.

Gene will be remembered for his vibrant personality, his huge, loving heart and his zest and love of life! No one who met Gene would ever forget him, and he touched the lives of many. He will be greatly missed by all, especially his children!

There is comfort in knowing that Gene is with God now, dancing up a storm in heaven with his beloved wife, Marie. We know we will see him again!

Tenace — The family and friends of James Eugene Tenace, who passed away peacefully, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, are invited to gather from noon to the time of a memorial service at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Geibel Funeral Home, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler, with the Rev. Harry Bielewicz, pastor, officiating.For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.geibelfuneralhome.com.