TEMPLE – Eugene (Gene) J. Cyr (1933-2023), a hard-worker, proud Mainer, and a man whose laugh and crooked smile were infectious, was surrounded by his family when he passed on Friday, January 20. Gene, as he was affectionately known by those who knew him, had battled long and hard against dementia. It is no surprise that he fought the battle as best he could with both grace and strength. Gene was born on September 23, 1933, in Woburn, Quebec. When he was ten years old, his parents, Alfred Cyr and Marie Rose (DeSautel) Cyr sought the American Dream for him and his four brothers and sisters (Anatole, Leonard, Rita, and Theresa), and moved to the US and settled in Stratton, Maine. One of his proudest moments was becoming a US Citizen in 1956.
When Gene was twenty years old, he met the love of his life, Sandy, and began a beautiful life together. They married in June of 1958. He dutifully served in the US Army and later joyfully welcomed their only child, Kristel, into the world in 1972. As a family, they enjoyed snowmobiling in the winter, Jeep-ing and camping in the summer. Together was his happiest place. He loved spending time with family and friends around meals and competitive games of cribbage. Gene also enjoyed bowling with the Mixed Nuts Sunday League and the Incredible Seniors until ill health forced him to rack his ball for the last time. Gene loved being outside and was an avid fisherman. He relied on his favorite fly, the hornberg, to reel in the big ones; his stories were even bigger.
He was a skilled carpenter, owned his own business, and after many years of building and renovating homes, he left the ladders, hammers, and nails, and put his heavy equipment skills to use. He worked part-time in winters plowing roads for the Town of Farmington. And, full-time, he drove a logging truck for EJ Carrier and bantered with his friends over the CB radio with his handle, “BirdDog”. When he left log truck driving, he took a position with EL Vining & Son where he drove a dump truck, and even though he never wanted to stop working, he begrudgingly retired in 2003.
It had always been his dream to visit Alaska and fish for halibut and salmon, and in 2004, that dream came to fruition. He and his wife Sandy enjoyed traveling and with friends enjoyed many bus trips that took them across the country. His grandchildren, Maguire and Kerrigan became lights in his life when they were born in 2001 and 2003. He enjoyed being with and cheering for them at their games, performances and special occasions. The final hours of his journey were filled with peace and love–exactly the way he had lived his life.
Gene will be known as the consummate story-teller and joker. He loved laughing and always knew the way to a good time. He will be dearly missed by all those who loved him–especially his survivors: his loving wife of sixty-four years, Sandy of Temple; his daughter Kristel (Cyr) Anuszewski and her husband, Loren Anuszewski of Winthrop; grandson, Maguire Anuszewski who attends Brown University in Providence, RI; granddaughter, Kerrigan Anuszewski who attends Bates College in Lewiston, ME; and Gene’s sister, Theresa (Cyr) Barker and family of Stratton and many nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held at the Lakeview Cemetery in Wilton later in the spring. In lieu of flowers, those wishing can make a donation to the Make-a-Wish Foundation, 66 Mussey Road, Scarborough, ME 04074, and online at wish.org/maine or to The Hospice House of Androscoggin County, 236 Stetson Rd, Auburn, ME 04210 and online at androscoggin.org
Arrangements have been entrusted to Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 488 Farmington Falls Rd., Farmington, ME 04938.
Thinking of Gene’s family, Worked with him his last few years at Vining’s , Always a smile on his face and enjoyed listening to his stories!
My sympathy to his family.
So sorry to hear of Gene’s passing. Condolences to Theresa and the boys.
Our sincere condolences to the Cyr family . Gene was a very nice person & joy to be acquainted with at whatever he was doing .
Gene may you R.I.P. my friend .
I’m saddened to hear of Gene’s passing.
We had some good laughs over the years.
God Bless Sandy and family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Sandy.
good man fun to talk with rip gene
A great neighbor. He will be missed.
To my Dear friend Sandy & family: Thinking of you with heartfelt condolences.
Can’t you still hear that laugh? None like it.
Thoughts going out to Sandy and all. Gene
was a good man.
Gene was one of the best! He worked at EJ’s with my husband and they became good friends! He also came to Arkay Pizza frequently and loved seeing him! He will be missed. John and I send our deepest condolences to Sandy and the entire Cyr families.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Sandy and family. We had many fun times snowmobiling with Gene and Sandy many years ago. Fond memories of times passed.
My condolences to Sandy and the family. I remember Gene and Sandy when they were in Phillips and can still picture the smile and the laughter that he loved to share. RIP Gene….
Uncle Gene was a wonderful uncle. So much fun to be around. My thoughts and prayers go to Aunt Sandy and Krystal at this difficult time. Uncle Gene is now around the heavenly throne.
Dearest Candy, our hearts go out to you in your time of sorrow. we will never forget all the fun we had snowmobiling , bowling camping and playing cards together. We had many good evening playing cribbage together.
Gene will remain in our hearts for ever and be missed ever day of lives.
Very nice man I he will be greatly missed. My dad and he where good friends. Sorry for your loss.
Sandy, so sorry for your loss.
My family and I are very sad to hear that Gene has passed. Our condolences to Sandy and Kristal for their loss. Gene and Sandy have always been great friends to our parents and lifelong members of our extended family. My siblings and cousins’ memoires go all the way back to gatherings at their route 4 home in Farmington. They were always kind, fun, and gracious hosts and guests for more than half a century. My company and I were fortunate in being able to assist them with the Alaska adventure, and it remains the most pleasurable travel project of my professional career. A true Maine sportsman and hard working individual will certainly now reside in Heaven. Friends like Dad are waiting to chat and have a good laugh with you Gene.
Randy T, Sonya, Crandall and the members of Mackey and Beverly Toothaker family
Sandy, I’m so sorry for your loss! Dementia is so hard on the whole family. Please know my thoughts are with you and your family.
Sandy, Terry and I are sending deep condolences to you and Kristel. Losing someone we ‘ve known as part of our community lives is no easier in our eighties than it would have been when we were younger and seeing each other often. We send hugs to you and deep affection. We hope to be at Lakeview for Gene’s service.