Eugene Settimo Gini, Gene to his family and friends, was born in 1931 at his aunt’s house on East River Street in Truckee. He passed away Feb. 21 on the same street surrounded by his loving family. Gene had a remarkable life filled with honor, integrity, courage, compassion, and strength to his final day. Gene was the seventh child from a blended family of Ginis and Giovanonis, born to Giuseppi and Emilia Gini. Gene grew up on East River Street and spent his younger years playing with his friends, often in the Truckee River. He obtained his driver’s license at the age of 12, which allowed him to begin working at the Coca-Cola bottling plant, McIver’s Dairy, and later Sierra Pacific Power. He was 16 years old when he graduated from Meadow Lake Union High School, now Truckee High School, where he excelled in academics. He immediately enrolled in the University of Nevada, Reno, where he was on the dean’s list. As he juggled his work and his academics, he was called to serve his country, and he chose to enlist in the U.S. Navy.
To his last days, Gene spoke of his love for the navy and for our country. He was very proud of his service; he was grateful for the educational opportunities and numerous lifelong friendships he formed. Guided by his work at Sierra Power, he focused his naval career on the electrical systems aboard aircraft carriers and landing ships. While proudly serving on the USS Boxer and LSM 419, he sailed the Pacific Ocean with destinations that included Point Barrow on the Arctic coast, the Panama Canal, Hawaii, and Japan. Gene was quickly promoted to first class and was involved in planning and implementation of upgraded electrical systems to meet the demands brought about by the Korean War. The navy encouraged him to stay another 4 years, and he was offered a substantial stipend to reenlist, but the pull of his family and his hometown of Truckee was much too strong. After his honorable discharge, Gene returned to Truckee and, after a brief stint as a brakeman with the Southern Pacific Railroad, he returned to Sierra Pacific to become a lineman.
Gene loved his work with the power company, and on any outing in the Reno-Tahoe area he would point out power lines that he helped to construct, bringing power to newly developed areas in the Tahoe region. He would also point out power poles that he had climbed to restore power, even in blizzards, during his many years as a lineman. He always spoke with respect and admiration for the people he worked with during his 41 years and remained close friends with many coworkers throughout his life. He often expressed gratitude for the many opportunities to learn and work with incredible people. Gene was extremely proud that after many years serving the community as a lineman and troubleman, he was promoted multiple times and worked his last several years as the district manager for Sierra Power at Lake Tahoe. In the final weeks of his life, he was able to meet with some of his colleagues to share stories and talk about their days together with the common goal of “keeping the lights on,” a phrase they often heard from Gene during their careers.
Upon his return to Truckee after the navy, Gene met Shirley, who he always described as the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. They soon married and began their life together with two children, Celia and Gene Jr. They were always in love as they traveled the world, shared many family celebrations and thousands of adventures during their 71 years together. Both were committed to their family and Gene practiced the art of being an exceptional father, brother, uncle, and son, quietly meeting the needs of his entire family. After retiring, Gene and Shirley spent the next 35 years traveling and cruising the world with several trips to Italy to reconnect with family in Massa Macinaia and Torre de Lago.
Gene spoke only Italian in his childhood home and for his entire life he was gifted with language skills, fluent in several languages. These skills helped to enhance Gene and Shirley’s travels, permitting them to meet new people and to experience many treasures of the world. On their first trip to Massa Macinaia, Gene was able to connect with his Aunt Amalia to hear stories of his grandfather Salvatori and father Giuseppi before he immigrated to the U.S. in 1906. He was welcomed by the family of his mother Emilia in Torre De Lago. Gene and Shirley found great comfort in the company of Gene’s Italian family, sharing many family meals, stories, laughter, and special outings to the little-known places of Tuscany and the Mediterranean coast. On holidays and birthdays, Gene was busy with calls to his Italian family. He was proud of the life his parents built and he was grateful for the opportunities offered by this country. He was exceptionally proud of his family name, which he believed was a symbol for courage, strength, and perseverance. Gene was truly a son of Italy.
Gene would help anyone and never sought recognition. For many years after he retired, he worked diligently with the Rotary Club, obtaining, preparing, and delivering firewood to the elderly in the region. He was honored by the club as a Paul Harris Fellow for his contribution to the community. Gene was also honored to serve on the Truckee Volunteer Fire Department and on one occasion he waded into the icy rapids of the Truckee River to rescue two people who had driven into the river off Highway 89. He joined the Masonic Lodge in the early ’60s at the urging of his longtime friend and mentor Jim McIver. Gene is remembered as a strong supporter of those in need and always showed respect and understanding to every person, no matter the situation. Gene loved gardening, animals, and country western music.
Gene is survived by his loving wife, Shirley, two children and their spouses, two grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and many cousins and friends in the U.S. and Italy. The family is grateful for the remarkable care provided to Gene by the professionals at Tahoe Forest Hospital and the Tahoe Forest Health System home-based programs. A celebration of Gene’s life will be announced later this spring. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the SPCA.
~ Audra Flynn
