Vietnam Veteran, wrestling coach
Published in the May 18, 2017 edition
NORTH READING – Eugene Joseph Tremblay Jr. of Park Street in North Reading and of Jensen Beach, Fla. passed away on April 28 from cancer. He was born in Chelsea at the Chelsea Naval Hospital on July 10, 1949. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War where he did two tours of duty. He fought a courageous battle with many different forms of cancer believed to have been contracted from “Agent Orange.” He was diagnosed in the early 1980s and was only given a short time to live. His mental toughness and physical strength, along with the loving and emotional care by his wife Christine McInerny enabled him to continually fight this horrific disease.
Geno was one of eight children of the late Eugene J. Tremblay and June P. (Clark) Tremblay. He graduated from North Reading High School, class of 1968. He is credited with starting the first organized wrestling program with longtime football coach Walter Miller. The club team gave rise to a varsity program that enabled numerous students an opportunity to thrive in the sport, both at the high school and collegiate level.
After his obligations to his military commitment, Gene returned home and joined his dad with the Local 56 Union of the Carpenters and Pile Drivers. He spent over 30 years in the pile drivers trade, laying the foundations for numerous buildings in Boston and throughout New England.
Gene was a loyal husband, son, brother and uncle. His hobbies were boating, fishing and riding his motorcycle. But most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, who he cherished. He was a member of the Moose and Knights of Columbus. When he retired he spent winters in Florida and summers in North Reading and Essex as he loved the weather in New England.
Eugene “Geno” Tremblay is survived by his mother June P. (Clark) Tremblay, his amazing devoted wife Christine McInerny, who was by his side when he passed; his four brothers, William of Candia, NH and Port St. Lucie, Fla., Larry and his wife Dawn (Griffin) of North Reading, Richard C. and his wife Nancy McQueeney of Ocala, Fla., James R. and wife Alicia (Connelly); his three sisters, Barbara (Madison) and husband Richard of Groveland, Patricia Tremblay-McNeil of Jensen Beach, Fla., Crystal Hultgren and husband Glenn of Port St. Lucie, Fla., and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Services will be private as requested by the family.
