Eugene A. Rodowicz

Eugene A. Gene Rodowicz, age 77, of Anaconda, MT and formerly of Wilmington, DE, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 1, 2015.

Born in Wilmington on December 9, 1937, Gene was a son of the late Konstanty Rodowicz and Antoinette (Lipka) Rodowicz. He attended St. Hedwigs School for nine years and Wilmington High School for one year, prior to graduating from Brown Vocational High School. Gene proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. Army from 1955 until 1958. He would then join the Delaware Army National Guard, where he spent a number of years with the 150th Helicopter Unit and also as a member of the National Guard’s Counter Sniper Team. An expert marksman, Gene enjoyed competition shooting and was a member of the guard’s Delaware National Team, competing in the national match for six years. He also served as one of the organizations pistol and rifle instructors and as a member of the Delaware Governors 10 Rifle and Pistol Team.

In addition to his military career, Gene worked for General Motors for 30 years prior to his retirement. In 1994, he and his wife, Mary Jane relocated to Montana.

Gene was involved in the Boy Scouting community for many years, first in his youth, later as an Explorer Scout and finally as a member of the Pulaski Legion. He was also a member of the Boys Club of America. Gene shared his appreciation for firearms with others and was a member of several gun clubs including the Brandywine Hundred, Butte and Anaconda Gun Clubs. He was a benefactor member of the NRA, a member of the Winchester Club of America, Winchester Arms Collector’s Association and the Weapon Collectors Society of Montana. Gene continued to support his fellow veterans as a member of the American Legion Post 21 where he served as a member of the Honor Guard Firing Squad. He was also a 32nd Degree mason and a member of AF & AM Armstrong Lodge in Newport, DE.

An avid outdoorsman, Gene enjoyed hunting, fishing, target shooting, gunsmithing, snowmobiling, four wheeling, cruising and attending gun shows. He adored spending time with his family and will be dearly missed.

In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by his sons, Eugene and Jesse Rodowicz; stepson, Thomas G. Crescenzo, Jr.; brother and sister in law, John and Helen Rodowicz; sister and brother in law, Tessie and William Kwiatkowski; and daughter in law, Janet Crescenzo. He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane (Gaffney) Rodowicz; daughter, Joanne Fromal; step sons, Bruce Crescenzo and his children, Matt, Jack and Seray and Brian Crescenzo (Donna) and their children, Thomas, Michael, Benjamin, Stephen and Lauren; brother in law, Philip Gaffney (Vicky); sisters in law, Kathleen Gaffney and Annabelle Boire; and several nieces and nephews.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5 pm until 7 pm on Wednesday evening, July 8, 2015 at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 W. Park Place, Newark, DE. A second visitation will be held from 10 am until 11 am on Thursday morning, July 9, 2015 at Holy Family R.C. Church, E. Chestnut Hill and Gender Roads, Newark, DE, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 am. Interment with military honors will be held at 11 am on Friday morning, July 10, 2014 in Egg Harbor City Cemetery, 500 London Avenue, Egg Harbor, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Gene’s name may be made to the Rocky Mountain Bible Mission, 1515 Fairview Avenue, Suite 200, Missoula, MT 59801 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.