Gene Losik, 25, Raytheon Engineer, Celebration of Life service to be held in his honor
North Andover, MA--Raytheon electrical engineer, Gene Losik, 25, who was last seen at the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel in Boston, MA, on February 20, 2010, was recovered at Rowes Wharf on November 8, 2010. A Celebration of Life service will be held for him on December 3, 2010, from 4-7 pm, at the Indian Ridge Country Club in Andover, MA.
Gene Losik was born in Belarus, on November 24, 1984. He emigrated to the United States on his seventh birthday with his parents Zhanna and Vlad Losik in 1991. His parents, presently residents of Hudson, NH, settled in North Andover, where Gene, an honor roll student, attended North Andover High School, Class of 2003. He also earned his black belt in karate during these years. After high school, Gene continued his education at the College of Engineering at University of Massachusetts, Amherst, obtaining a degree in Electrical Engineering in 2008. At UMass, Amherst, he established a Paintball Club, serving as its first president. During his studies he worked in the antenna research laboratory and the experience gained there eventually brought him to the attention of Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems in Tewksbury, MA. Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems provides integrated solutions to an international and domestic customer base, including the US Missile Defense Agency, the US Armed Forces and the Department of Homeland Security.
He was hired in 2008, upon graduation, to work on development of test equipment for validation and analysis of products. He was highly regarded for his work at Raytheon and was in the process of a promotion to a team leader.
"He was a hard worker and smart," says Graham Palermo, friend and co-worker. "Gene had a great future ahead of him. When asked for advice, he would be thoughtful and give answers that would help in the best way possible. His intentions when guiding others were always inspired with the hope of seeing a better result evolve. He was both positive and effective."
Gene was a serious and responsible student and employee, but he was known to enjoy life and was extremely witty and personable. His fun-loving manner endeared him to his friends and co-workers, as evidenced by the hundreds of people who came to help when he went missing, and who built a website in his honor to aid in the search. He could be counted on to assist anyone in need, and, thus, no one turned a blind eye when his beloved parents and girlfriend, Caitlin McGovern, needed their support. The Celebration of Life event has been created to honor the memory of this outstanding young man as well as to thank those who offered aid and encouragement. Participants are asked to bring their favorite memories to illustrate the ways in which Gene touched their lives.
"This is what Gene would have wanted, " says Zhanna Losik, "to be remembered with shared stories, love and laughter. So, we have asked his friends to gather together and celebrate our son's life."
"Gene was known throughout our community, socially and in the workplace, for his integrity and humor," says Caitlin McGovern, who is also employed at Raytheon and who lived with Gene both in Northampton and Lawrence, MA. "He touched so many lives in positive ways. He was a disciplined and dedicated worker and friend, who was greatly admired and respected. This celebration confirms not only that Gene will be missed, but that he will always be remembered."
According to Gene's closest friend, Rick Keilty, Gene was friendly to everyone. " The thing that I will miss most about Gene, " Rick adds, " was his gift to make everyone around him laugh. He had the uncanny ability to say just the right thing to those who required his advice. A few moments in his company and you were in good spirits, no matter what was bothering you. You could trust him, confide in him, and rely on his wisdom. The Celebration of Life service is the perfect tribute to a man who gave so much of himself to others."
Gene is survived by his loving parents, Zhanna and Vlad Losik, and his sister, Anya, of Hudson, NH; his significant other, Caitlin McGovern, of Somerville; his grandparents, Anatoly and Ida Fridland, of Brookline, and Edward and Valentina Brook-Levinson, of Israel; his uncles, Alexander Losik, Belarus; and Gene Fridland, Westport, CT; and his aunts, Ellen Fridland, New York City, and Natasha Brook-Levinson, Israel.
The Celebration of Life event will be held on December 3, 2010, from 4-7 pm, at the Indian Ridge Country Club, 73 Lovejoy Road, Andover, MA. Arrangements are under the direction of the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc. For online condolences and other information please go to www.breenfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to LostNMissing, Inc, a state and federally recognized 501c(3) Non-Profit charitable organization at 26 Noyes Road, Londonderry, NH 03053, or online at www.lostnmissing.com.