Eugene N. "Gene" Hockey, age 89, of Honeoye Falls, New York, and formerly of Brownville, New York, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 23, 2024 at his home.
Born on April 18, 1935, in Gouverneur, New York, Gene was the son of William and Mildred (Staie) Hockey. He graduated from Gouverneur High School and attended Canton ATI.
On August 18, 1956, he married Shirley Goodison in Gouverneur, New York. The couple, introduced by Shirley’s brother Sonny, shared nearly 74 wonderful years together and made their home in Brownville for most of their married life.
Gene worked as a cable splicer for New York Telephone Company, retiring in 1989. He was a former member of the Brownville Fire Department, as well as, a dedicated member of the Local 1124 Communications Workers of America (CWA), serving as secretary-treasurer and vice president.
Gene was a multi-talented man and excelled at clever approaches for solving problems. He remodeled every portion of his home on his own, building two additions for which he dug the foundations by hand and completed all masonry, carpentry, electric and plumbing. Gene also built a scale model remote- control tugboat from scratch and a crowd frequently gathered to watch it sail. The 5-foot-long vessel featured sound effects, water cannons, video camera and 2-way radio used to converse with other vessels as he passed them. Gene always got a kick out of using the tugboat to push his grandkids around on tubes at Sylvia Lake.
Gene’s most essential skill, however, was his sense of humor. He entertained his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren for years with his antics and imitations. Gene taught us all that a sense of humor can help in the best and worst of times. He was able to joke, smile and entertain even as his physical abilities were declining.
Gene and Shirley cherished their time spent wintering in Ocala, Florida, for 25 years. They traveled extensively for a portion of that time pulling their RV, on which Gene hand- painted a frog on the rear wheel cover with the words, “I go where I’m toad.” They were thrilled when their grandson renovated the 32-year- old trailer and started traveling with it again!
Gene is survived by his daughter, Cindi (Fred) Dowd of Honeoye Falls, NY; his son, David (Cherie) Hockey of Caroga Lake, NY; his sister, Connie (Bob) Ritchie; his brother-in-law, Gordon (Charlotte) Goodison of Syracuse, NY and his sister-in-law Elaine Hockey of Tupper Lake, NY. He is also survived by five grandchildren (Joshua Roth, Bryan Roth, Emily Ishman, Kevin Hockey, and Elliott Hockey), five great-grandchildren (Lucas, Lily, Eden, Lincoln, and Nora) and many nieces and nephews.
Gene was predeceased by his loving wife, Shirley, sister Joyce Russell, brother William Hockey and brothers-in-law, Merrill “Sonny” Goodison and Fred Russell.
Gene’s wish was to be cremated. No services will be held at this time. Burial will take place at the Brownville Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home, Dexter, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Gene’s memory may be made to The ALS Association at http://www.als.org.