Gene was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. He learned the lesson of hard work early in his life and worked continuously to make sure his family was taken care of throughout the years.
He will forever be remembered and loved by his daughter Tricia VanAdrighem (Jason), his two granddaughters Kylie Nicole & Ashlynn Marita, grand dog Abby and great grand dog Rae.
Gene was born on October 4, 1941, to the late Gene and Afton Finocchio in Salt Lake City, Utah. After graduating high school at Highland High, he joined the United States Army in 1959 and served 3 years in Germany and stateside.
Gene married the love of his life the Diana Rae Gardner on November 28, 1969, who passed away October 20, 2021. They were married for 52 years before her passing.
Gene worked 50 years as dock worker and a local truck driver for REA Express and Consolidated Freightways where he met many friends and shared special memories with them.
Anyone who knew Gene knows how much he loved to tell stores from his childhood, military and life experiences. He was always there when someone was in need and willing to put others before himself.
Gene’s hobbies included Gold panning with his late father-in-law, playing the lottery, shooting of fire arms, riding scooters with his granddaughter Ashlynn, fixing anything that was broken and mostly spending time with his family and especially is granddaughters.
He is survived by his sister (Janet Young), daughter Tricia (Jason), granddaughters (Kylie and Ashlynn.
Proceeded in death by his wife (Diana), parents (Gene & Afton), brother (Boyde) and sister (Annette)
Gene will forever be in our hearts and the stories he told will forever be with us.
Our family extends our external gratitude to the expectational team at Solstice Home Health and Hospice and especially his nurse Stephen Scoville and Dr. Ann Clark. Your compassion, dedication and unwavering support during Gene’s final journey was a true blessing and can’t thank you enough. We found comfort in knowing that our dad/grandpa was surrounded by love and care until the very end.
Friends and family may visit on Thursday, October 3, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. A graveside service will be held October 4, 2024, at 11:00 am at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3401 S Highland Drive, Millcreek, Utah.
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