Obituary of Eugene R. Taras

Eugene 'Gene' R. Taras, Sr. GENEVA- Eugene 'Gene' R. Taras, Sr., 81, passed away peacefully on Sun. (Aug. 25, 2013), at Geneva General Hospital. In honoring Gene's wishes, there will be no prior calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Fri. (Aug. 30), at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church in Geneva. Entombment will follow in St. Mary's Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to Our Lady of Peace Parish, 130 Exchange St., Geneva, NY 14456 or the Alzheimer's Association, 435 E. Henrietta Rd., Rochester, NY 14620. Gene was born on Sept. 15, 1931 in Bentleyville, PA and was a son of the late John and Flora (Bertocci) Taras. He served his country in the United States Air Force from 1950 to 1954. Gene is a veteran of the Korean War and was a drill instructor at Sampson Air Force Base. He worked as a salesman for Canada Dry, Curtice Burns Foods, and Pepsi. Gene loved all sports, especially golf, fishing, and playing cards. He was an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates. He was a member of Our Lady of Peace Parish and the American Legion Winnek Post 396 in Geneva. He is survived by his wife, Lucy Theresa (Liberatore) Taras of Geneva; sons, Steve (Regina) Taras of Jacksonville, FL, Gary (Kathy) Taras of Geneva and Eugene Taras, Jr. of Geneva; daughters, Tracey (Don Lagger) Taras of Waterloo, Lynne Taras of Statesville, NC and Jackie (Tom) Reid of Chapel Hill, NC; grandchildren, Michael (Summer) Taras of Jacksonville, FL, David Taras of Jacksonville, FL, Geoff Taras of Baltimore, MD, Jamie (Zach Farrell) Taras of Geneva, Kevin Cook of Buffalo, NY, Ethan Reid of Chapel Hill, NC; great-granddaughters, Amelia Taras of Jacksonville, FL, Grace Farrell of Geneva, NY; niece, Kristen Zimmer; nephew, John Taras; sister-in-law, Lucy Taras. Gene was predeceased by his first wife, Lucille (Gigliotti) Taras; brother, John Taras and niece, Karla Taras.