Mr. Eugene (Gene) VanAlstyne, 81, passed away December 24, at the Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown.
Gene was born August 16, 1943, in Watertown, the son of the late Stewart and Eva Nichols VanAlstyne. He graduated from LaFargeville Central in 1961.
He worked for Mr. Ken Caswell (Central Garage) in LaFargeville until 1964. After the death of his brother-in-law, Stephen Getman, he purchased a farm in Depauville from his sister Doris, which he operated until 1980. He sold the farm and moved back to LaFargeville. Gene also worked part-time for his cousin F. Sterling George (George’s Plumbing and Heating), from 1966 until the company was sold in 1976 to Augsbury Corporation, and he continued to work for them until 1982. Gene then went to work for F.K. Gailey Company until he retired in 2011.
On April 17, 1965, he married the former Elaine Donor. Elaine died May 6, 2017, at age 70.
On September 20, 2019, he married Keitha Hass at the Depauville Methodist Church with Reverend Earl Lalonde officiating.
Gene enjoyed car racing, especially Midstate Antique Stock Car Club, of which he was a member, and participated in for over 10 years. He also was on the Cemetery Board, Methodist Church Board, and the Town Sewer Board.
Surviving besides his wife Keitha, are two sons, Scott (Terri) and Michael (Deena), both of Clayton from his first marriage; two stepchildren, Bill (Crystal) Huchzermeire of Depauville, and Patricia (Michael) Schnauber of Rodman; nine grandchildren; four great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his sisters, Doris Getman, Margaret (Maurice) Daily, Lois (Paul) Getman, Pauline (Roger) Walti, Winafred (Frank) Ostrander, Ella Mae (Nicholas) Kendrat, and Sharon (Dennis) Cornell, and one brother, Walter Stewart.
A service and burial will be held in the Spring.
Donald Desrosiers
Gene was a great friend and will be forever missed!
Tim Campbell
Keitha,
We are so sorry; Gene was truly a great man. I will miss his presents as many will.
Krissy Exkert
Mike and Deena,
My deepest and sincere sympathy to you at the loss of your dad. He was a great man.
Jon Thomas
My condolences to the family.
I am saddened to hear of Gene passing.
He must of sent me a sign he is ok with how his wings fit …
I was just thinking of him just two days ago.
I had not seen Gene in years and I was thinking about all the things he taught about furnaces while working with him at Augsburg Oil..
I rode shotgun with him for 3 weeks , as a new employee they had him show me the ropes of the company before I went out on my own.
I learned so much from this kind gentle man .
I had just graduated from heating school and one day I was trying to fix something by the book and it was not working as planned.
That day he turned his head towards me and on his face was that familiar grin .
He would say this is the easiest way to fix the problem. The book way is not always the easiest way. He never got upset and was always willing to help..
Once I got out on my own he would always ask at the end of the day, how my day was.
One time back in 1979 or 1980 it was minus 20 to 30 below zero for two weeks and I was on 24 hour emergency call.
I received an emergency no heat call for a family in Cape Vincent. Once I got to the house I discovered I had a major problem and I would not be able to handle the situation on my own.
I immediately called Gene and without any explanation or hesitation he came to my aid .
This turned out to be a dangerous situation
The furnace safety switch did not trip it off and thankfully it did not ignite because the furnace pumped about 200 gallons of fuel oil into the furnace and it leaked out onto the cellar floor.
Had that furnace ignited it would have certainly been a disaster.
Gene came and we came up with a temporary plan to install a trailer furnace and set it up inside the upstairs of the house because there were 5 young children living there with their parents.
Gene stayed there with me for about 24 hours as we dismantled the defective furnace and carried it outside piece by piece and burned off the oil .
Once that was completed we had to clean up all the oil on the cellar floor.
That took hours hours and then we had to reassemble the old furnace and get it running.
Not once did he complain.
Yes we both were exhausted but
There were children in the house and we needed to get the heat back on. He was focused and on a mission. Finally we got everything done in about 24 hours.
I worked a couple more years at Augsbury in different areas and after that I moved onto a different job.
Over the years I have never met another person like Gene who was so kind and full of compassion . Full of knowledge and no one else every had that same grin.
I learned a lot about furnaces and life from Gene . I still use some of his advice when working on my own equipment to this day.
I certainly wish I would have kept in contact with Gene.
Fly high my friend .
I appreciate everything you taught me about life
Stephen Link
I worked with Gene for 20 years,he was a great guy. I always enjoyed working with him.
Tim Lauraine
They didn’t come any better than Gene. He was smart, humble, respectful and caring. He made the world a better place. Rest in peace Gene.
Eric LaValle
I was very proud to know and work with Gene at FK Gailey Co. He made many contributions to the success of Gailey’s thru his hard work and expert knowledge of the HVAC business. Aside from work Gene was always caring and considerate. He often helped his Neighbors” in need. He will be missed. Rest in Peace.
Russ Waterson
Our sincere condolences. Gene was such a humble person. He raced antique stock cars with my uncle Floyd We are losing some of the greatest people. Be proud of Mr. Gene, he was awesome!,
Russ & Penny
Lisa Hover
To Scott, Mike and all the family- sincere condolences. Your Dad was my Moms ‘go to’ when stuff went wrong after my father’s passing. According from my Pop, he was the best. And he never let us down. My thoughts are with you all.
Kathi Pierce
If you see golden wing in the sky that will be My brother In Law Gene – My heart breaks that he is gone and the sadness for his wife Keitha, Sons Scott and Wife Teri, Mike and wife Deena. His grandchildren and all of those that hold him in their hearts. Rest in Peace
Tina
Sincere condolences to Scott and Mike family, even though I never really knew Gean I knew who he was when he drove by the house. Condolences to you all very sorry for your loss. Tina Spencer.(wells)
Tina Spencer
Sincere condolences to Scott and Mike family, even though I never really knew Gean I knew who he was when he drove by the house. Condolences to you all very sorry for your loss. Tina Spencer.(wells)
Mary White Titus
Keitha, Scott, Mike and family am very very sadden to hear of the passing of Eugene, our 1961 LCS classmate, one of the good guys, soft spoken and calm, may our Lord wrap his arms around you with comfort and strength in the coming days
MARY GREEN
TO THE VanAlstyne FAMILY-I KNEW GENE FROM HIM VISITING HIS WIFE ELAINE IN THE HOSPITAL. HE VISITED EVERY DAY -HE WAS VERY KIND AND CARING TO HIS WIFE… I HOPE YOU FIND COMFORT IN ALL YOUR MEMORIES AND THAT THEY HELP YOU THRU THIS DIFFICULT TIME>WE ARE VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS!!! SENDING PEACE, LOVE AND PRAYERS.
LOVE,
MARSHALL & MARY GREEN
Dave and Sherry Delaney
I worked with Gene at F.K. Gailey until his retirement. He was not only a hard worker but great person always helping out a co-worker or neighbor when in need at a drop of a hat. He will be greatly missed. Condolences to Mike and all his family!!!
Maureen OConnor
Keitha, I am so sorry for your loss. Gene had such a kind and gentle countenance, a wonderful man, wonderful couple. RIP Gene
Iris Waterson
Condolences to Gene’s family. I knew Gene when he and my husband Floyd raced antique stock cars together. Gene had a quiet demeanor, was always willing and able to help and was a true gentleman. Remember the good times and cherish those memories.
Mike & Blanche Colello
Gene VanAlstyne was one of the best employees we ever had working for us. Our customers highly respected his knowledge of heating systems which was second to none. He will be missed as a caring, never complaining and very respected man. Walk proud Gene.
Donna Danks
Our condolences to Keitha and Gene’s family. Very sad to hear this news. We met Gene through Patty. A very friendly, humble and kind man. Keep your memories close. Thinking of you all.
Donna & Dave Danks
Joan/ Terry Shelley
Condolences to all family members of
Gene VanAlstyne. He was a very gentle
guy. Always willing to help someone.
R.I.P. Gene , fly high ,and keep watch
over every one
Kate Wehrle
Keitha, My deepest condolences for the loss of your Gene.
Sean & Cathy Caswell Running
A great guy who cared. He worked for my dad (Ken), so l knew him from a kid. Was reunited when my husband and I worked the ambulance and took care of Elaine. A very dedicated and caring person. My thoughts and prayers go out to Keitha and the kids .
Jayme and Bruce Spearnock
Keitha, Scott, Terri, Mike and Deena,
Gene was a great guy that we thought a lot of. He was a good neighbor for many years. He and Bruce worked together for many years! Gene loved his family and was proud of his sons. I always admired how devoted he was to Elaine. We were so happy when he and Keitha married! He was always smiling!
Deepest sympathy…
Bruce and Jayme