Eugene

Eugene "Gene", "Geno", "Daddio", C. Roeckers, 83, of Fort Myers, Florida passed away June 15, 2011. Gene was born March 11, 1928 in Morgan, Minnesota to parents Alphonse and Esther Roeckers. After graduation from Redwood Falls High School, he PROUDLY enlisted to serve his country in the United States Army. After his first term with the army, he attended Art School in St. Paul, Mn. where he began passionately pursuing his dream of being a COMMERCIAL ARTIST. Upon graduating from Art School, he was called BACK into the army at the beginning of the KOREAN WAR. He was honorably discharged in 1952,as a MASTER SARGENT. He worked as an ARTIST with the Mullen Advertising Agency in MPLS and began his extraordinary excellence in commercial art as well as a lifelong passion for creating in his "SPARE" time as well. One of his first "Projects" was building a Lake cabin FROM SCRATCH with only a HAMMER and a HAND SAW!. The next "Geno Project" was building his FIRST BOAT. A HOME-MADE wood boat complete with an AUTOMOBILE ENGINE! At age 27, he married Beverly Johnson on December 8, 1956 and had 3 children: Toni, Mark and Guy. In 1960, Gene launched out on his own, opening up his VERY OWN ART STUDIO called GENE ROECKERS AND ASSOCIATES. For over 30 years, he enjoyed a very SUCCESSFUL art career, became a PILOT, owned his own plane(Cessna 150) and delighted mastering the water on his 19 boats (not all owned at the same time). Three of his favorites were "SUGAR-FREE", "WINETIME" and "DOLCE VITA" (which means "the good life"). Gene ALWAYS loved the SUN, SAND, PALM TREES, WATER and BOATS so when the Minnesota winters would get cold and bitter, he preferred to drive his RV to his favorite state...SUNNY FLORIDA!!! In 1981, Gene's daughter, Toni Lynn married Judson Sather. Toni was so proud and thankful to be walked down the aisle on the loving, gentle arm of her beloved dad. Years later, Gene enjoyed being a WONDERFUL GRANDPA to their 3 adoring daughters, Ashlynn, Janaya and Annali. In 1985, Gene and Bev divorced and Gene headed south, ending up in Ft.Myers, Florida. In 1988, he met and later married Annette (Net) who was also living in Ft. Myers. After a major heart attack and quadruple bypass, they married on Halloween, October 31, 1990. Annette's daughter, Janel, then 12 years old, lived and enjoyed life with them until she went to college. Together, they lived in Cape Coral, Florida, were members of the Cape Coral Sailing Club, and enjoyed many sailing adventures together. In 1989, Gene's youngest son, Guy, married Donna. In 2000, Gene's son, Mark, married Sharon on a catamaran off of Key West, Florida. In 2004, Janel married Curt, and Gene had the honor of walking his younger daughter down the aisle and watching her 2 young sons, Maxwell and Curty grow up. Later, Gene and Annette moved to Fort Myers, where they bought a beautiful home, and Gene enjoyed working in the yard. On a warm, sunny Florida day, just the way he liked it, surrounded by his wife and family at home, his courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis ended. Our dear Geno peacefully passed into eternity to be with His Heavenly Father. He is now at PEACE, but we will DEEPLY miss him for the rest of our lives. He leaves to cherish his loving memory, his loving wife Annette and 3 children, Toni (Judson) Sather and 3 grandchildren: Ashlynn, Janaya, Annali. Mark (Sharon) Roeckers, and Guy (Donna) Roeckers. 6 step-children: Debbie (Larry) Menchak and children: Sarah,Jacob,Rachel and Rebekah. Dave (Carrie) Schuman and children: Courtney and Tyler Terri (Steve) Handley and Lauren Sue Schuman and children: Christopher,Trisha,Danae and Lindsey. Skip (Jenni) Jones and children: Christian and Katy. Janel (Curt) Quinn and children: Maxwell and Curty. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at BLESSED POPE JOHN XXIII catholic church, 13060 Palomino Lane, Ft. Myers, FL on August 6th, 2011, at 11:00. Funeral arrangements under the direction of Gendron Funeral services, 4224 Cleveland Ave, Suite 1, Fort Myers, Florida 33901, 239-274-0088. Online condolences may be made at www.gendronfuneralhome.com.

Eugene

March 11, 1928 - June 15, 2011