Dedicated husband, father, grandfather, brother and quintessential Irish-American, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on August 13, at the age of 88. Lone Celts in a sea of Scandinavians, Gene grew up in Willmar with his parents John and Alice and brother Jack. He enjoyed fishing, friends and sports and was fondly known as “Shamrock” during his Willmar High School days. He went to St. John’s University where he played football under new coach, John Gagliardi, and was also on the track team. He was drafted into the Navy and graduated from the Underwater Swimmers School (UWSS) in Key West, Florida. He traveled the world on Navy ships. Gene returned to Minnesota where Lois, a Faribault farm gal, caught his eye. They married 61 years ago and raised six children. He worked for 28 years at the Metropolitan Airports Commission Police Department, rising to Police Commander. He graduated from Inver Hills College and Metropolitan State University. Gene was a fierce fan of The Cla