Obituary of Eugene J. Stefanacci, Jr.

Eugene J. Stefanacci, Jr., born February 27, 1940, son of Eugene Stefanacci, Sr. and Jeanette (Gugliotti) passed away on February 18, 2017 at the Wesley Health Care Center surrounded by his loving family after battling a long illness. Grew up in Beacon, New York, in High School he participated in Baseball, Basketball, Football and Golf. Graduated from Beacon High in 1957 - attended Ithaca College and graduated with a Master’s Degree in 1962. Gene was hired by Shenendehowa Central School after college and spent his entire career there for 33 years as an elementary Physical Education teacher. He also coached Varsity basketball, bowling, volleyball, soccer and of course served as a varsity football coach. Gene was proud of the fact that he was in his: hometown Hall of Fame, Shenendehowa Hall of Fame as a Football Coach and Section II Football Hall of Fame as Assistant Coach. For several years he was Director of the Summer Recreation program for Clifton Park. He served on the Clifton Park town board as a councilman. Upon retiring his teaching position, he turned to his favorite sport -Golf- for the ten years, served as Director of Golf at Van Patten Golf Club in Jonesville. Gene was a member of the McGregor Golf Course for many years and participated in Eastern New York Golf Association. He met his wife Betty when she was student teaching at Shenendehowa Schools. They have been married 52 years. He also is survived by two sons, Matthew (Janetlyn) and Michael (Alexis). Grandchildren, Kaylin, Giuliana and Anthony. Gene enjoyed their many trip to Cape Cod, Vermont and visiting family and spending time with the boys and his grandchildren. Gene was always happy, upbeat, loving and caring. He always enjoyed being around people. He was predeceased by his parents Eugene Sr. and Jeanette (Gugliotti) Stefanacci, granddaughter Kelsey Elizabeth Stefanacci, nephew Ronald Pettorossi and sister Edna Pettorossi. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at Shenendehowa United Methodist Church, 971 RT-146, Clifton Park, NY 12065. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the Gordon C. Emerick Funeral Home 1550 RT- 9, Clifton Park, NY 12065 on Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Private burial will be held this Spring in the Jonesville Cemetery. The Stefanacci family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the Wesley Health Care Center and to the members of Shenendehowa United Methodist Church for all of their assistance, thoughts and prayers during Gene's illness. Those desiring, may make memorial contributions to Shenendehowa United Methodist Christian Education (use church address above please), in memory of Eugene J. Stefanacci, Jr. Please express your on-line condolences at gordoncemerickfuneralhome.com