Obituary of Eugene Frederick Dammer

Eugene F. Dammer (1928 – 2021) On March 12th, one day before his 93rd birthday, Gene Dammer, passed away peacefully in his sleep after spending the better part of February and March catching up on family news and reminiscing with family and friends. Eugene is survived by five of his children, Gene Jr. (Ellen), Mary Lou Huisking (Frank), Linda Karaffa (George), Denise Qualey (Brian), and Mark (Jessica). He was predeceased by his wife Marian and his son Chris. Gene was born and raised in Queens New York with two brothers, Joe and Doug, and his “Kid Sister” Dolores Collins. After graduating High School he enlisted in the army and served two years in Louisville, Kentucky. Once home, driven by a passion for cars of all types, he embarked on what would become a 45 year career in the automotive industry. In 1950 Gene married the love of his life, Marian Tierney and together they bought a home in Hicksville Long Island and began raising their six children. In 1965 he moved his family to Huntington, New York and began a long career as Sales Manager at Pape Chevrolet. For many of his years at Pape he enjoyed working alongside his two eldest sons and his youngest daughter. Gene took great joy during these years hosting family get-togethers, supervising pool parties and having his home serve as a gathering place for neighborhood kids. Many weekends included drives to his parent’s home in Mastic, Long Island for Sunday dinners with his siblings and their families. In 1987 Gene and Marian retired to a home they had built in Melbourne, Florida. For 15 years they hosted trips to Disney World and the Florida beaches. He loved everything about retirement and the Florida lifestyle and always treasured the many friendships that he made there. He became a season ticket holder to the Washington Nationals’ spring training program and was a founding member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Viera. In 2001, after 52 years of marriage, Marian passed away. Gene remained in Florida until 2010 when he returned to the New York area to live with his daughters in Connecticut. These past 10 years he has been kept very busy with the many activities and celebrations that having 13 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren affords. Always an excellent story teller, during these years Gene captured the imaginations of many listeners with tales of traveling the east coast prior to the interstate highway system, skipping school to celebrate VE Day in Times Square, and selling pretzels with his brother Joe out of his sister Delores’ baby carriage in the streets of their Hollis neighborhood. Although this past year has been a challenge, Gene accepted the COVID restrictions with his trademark patience and resilience. Fortunate to have received an early vaccination he was able to resume in- person visits in February. He never quite mastered Facetime so was delighted to once again be able to sit out on the patio to laugh and chat in the sunshine while sipping chocolate milkshakes. On Wednesday March 17th at 10:00AM there will be a private mass said for Gene at St. Patrick’s Church in Huntington. The entire service will be live streamed on the church’s website (stpathuntington.org). By scrolling down you will find a link labeled Eugene Dammer. Gene will be interned alongside Marian in St. Patrick’s Cemetery. During the season of Lent no flowers will be permitted on the altar. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to the Kids in Crisis Children’s shelter in Greenwich, CT.