Eugene L. Saunders, 79
Retired Manager for New England Telephone
TEWKSBURY: Eugene L. "Gene" Saunders, age 79, a resident of Tewksbury for 40 years, passed away on Sunday, August 21, 2011 at the Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston, following a brief illness.
He was the beloved husband of Joan C. (Ryan) (Chappell) Saunders, with whom he celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary on February 26, 2011 and the late M. June (McCarthy) Saunders, who passed away on July 10, 1986.
Born in Lowell on December 15, 1931, he was the son of the late Eugene F. and Kathleen R. (Scullion) Saunders.
Gene was raised in Lowell, attended Lowell schools and graduated from Keith Academy in 1951.
Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during the Korean War.
Prior to his retirement in 1989, Gene was employed as a Manager by the New England Telephone Company, where he worked for 34 years. In addition, Gene was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and a member and past president of the former I.B.T.W. Union of Springfield.
Gene was a communicant of Saint Williams Parish in Tewksbury and previously Saint Robert Bellarmine Parish in Andover.
He enjoyed gardening, reading, spending the winter months at his home in Florida, but more than anything, spending time with his family.
In addition to his beloved wife, he is survived by his children, Mary Kay Garcia and her husband Antonio of Tewksbury, Michael J. Saunders of Lowell, Daniel J. Saunders and his wife Alice (Roper), Nancy E. Bonugli and her husband Stephen and Neil J. Saunders all of Tewksbury; his step-son, Scott P. Chappell and his wife Mildred of East Burke, VT; ten grandchildren, Daniel, Amy, Kevin, John, Evan and Emily Saunders, Marie and Stephen Bonugli, and June and Katie Garcia; three brothers, Thomas F. Saunders and his wife Linda (Lermond) of Andover, John E. Saunders and his wife Maryann (Bettencourt) of Salem, NH and Paul J. Saunders of Tewksbury; three sisters, Mary Jo O'Brien and her husband Thomas of Tewksbury, Jane E. dos Santos and Ann F. Welch and her husband Bryan all of Salem, NH; his sisters-in-law, Connie (McCarthy) Brown of Springfield, Patricia (Ryan)Souza of Tewksbury; also many nieces and nephews.
Gene was the father of the late Eugene L. Saunders, Jr., and brother-in-law of the late Joan (Durkin) Saunders, Dr. Fernando A. dos Santos and Thomas Ryan.
Calling hours will be held Tuesday, Aug. 23, from 4-8 p.m., at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. His funeral will be Wednesday, Aug. 24, at 9 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by his Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at St. William's Church 1351 Main St., Rte. 38, Tewksbury. Interment at St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Breast Cancer Foundation, 89 South Street, # 406, Boston, MA 02241.