Eugene Michael Pensari, 82, of Union City passed away Monday, June 28, 2021 at his home under the care of Oaklawn Hospice.
A public memorial gathering and service will be held at Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation in Union City from 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 21, 2021. The memorial service will begin at 5:00 p.m., with Pastor Dave Mathis officiating. Guests are invited to share their favorite memory of Gene.
Gene was born April 11, 1939 in Hoboken, New Jersey to Eugene Angelo and Rose Marie (Sansevere) Pensari. He grew up in New Jersey and graduated from Demarest High School in 1958. Following graduation, he served two years in Korea with the U.S. Army. Upon returning to the States, Gene attended Hillsdale College, where he majored in art and played football and basketball.
On July 19, 1975, he married the former Sandra Jean Cromwell in Southfield, MI. She survives.
Gene went on to earn a master’s degree in Education Administration from Western Michigan University. At Quincy Community Schools, he taught art and coached. At Union City Community Schools, Gene began as an art teacher and coach and retired as middle school principal in 1996. He also coached football, volleyball and boys’ basketball at Athens, as well as volleyball at Quincy, Coldwater and Battle Creek Central.
Away from the educational arena, Gene was talented in still more areas. He ran marathons, raised pigeons, became a published author of books and continued to express himself through art, adding wood carving to his skill set in later years. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed engaging in activities and conversation with family and friends. Gene also liked traveling, especially by motor home. He attended Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Union City.
In addition to Sandy, his wife of 45 years, Gene is survived by his children, Eugene H. (Andrea) Pensari of Livonia, Robert (Lynn) Pensari of Canton, Anthony (Melissa) Pensari of Canton, Andrea (Matthew) Chamberlain of Coldwater and Nicholas Pensari of Coldwater; grandchildren, Eric, Emily, Anthony, Zachary, Kaitlyn, Jordan, Anna, Nate, Owen and Madelyn; and a great-grandson, Easton.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents.
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