Obituary of Eugene F. Preston

Eugene F. Preston 80, of Martinsville, NJ and Naples, FL died suddenly, but peacefully on Monday March 30, 2009 at his home in Naples.Visitation will be on Friday from 3-7pm at Higgins Home for Funerals, Watchung, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2009, 11 am, at St. James RC Church, Basking Ridge. The internment will be held at the Somerset Hills Memorial Park, Basking Ridge, NJ. Gene was born in South Orange in 1929. He attended Seton Hall Prep and graduated from St. Benedicts Preparatory School in 1948. Gene was an alumnus of Seton Hall University. Gene also graduated from the McAllister School of Mortuary Science in New York City. Gene served in the US Air Force during the Korean War.Gene was the devoted husband of Kathleen Moore for 52 years and the beloved father of nine children. Gene will be dearly missed by his wife Kathleen, and his children; Gene and his wife Claire, of Chester, NJ, Nancy Murphy and her husband, John, of Hudson, Ohio, Peggy Matzen and her husband, Mark, and Laurie Wolfe and her husband, Bud, all of Basking Ridge, NJ, , Amee Smolinsky, and her husband, Mike, and Kerry Reinagel, and her husband, Tim, all of Clinton Township, NJ, Timmy of Martinsville, NJ and Mickey, and his wife, Marie, of Yardley, Pa. He is also survived by 26 adoring grandchildren and numerous relatives and friends. He was predeceased by three brothers, Joseph, Martin and Leo, his parents James and Helen and most recently his youngest son, Thomas.Gene had a long career in commercial real estate. He served as a vice president of Mahoney Troast Construction Company for 30 years. Gene ended his career at the Joseph A. Natoli Construction Company. He also served on the Somerset County Planning Board, consulted on several local and state committees and was a professional arbitrator. Gene volunteered at numerous civic organizations and coached many basketball and baseball teams. Gene demonstrated a lifelong commitment to his community and the Roman Catholic Church.Gene never met a stranger he did not like, he made new friends everywhere he went and consequently never went anywhere without running into a familiar face. Gene treasured the time spent with his large family and friends at home, in Florida and at the family home in Budd Lake, NJ. Gene was warm, gracious and witty and will be forever remembered by all who knew him.