From Carol Stens:
My first memory of Gene is at the Foxcraft Christmas party at your house in Southampton, PA. In the middle of cocktail hour he decided to introduce the car ramp and proceeded to place it in the middle of the livingroom floor. Then, he launched into one of the best sales speeches I’ve ever heard!
Something I have always wanted to tell him: Jules and I had this discussion/debate many times. Jules would say that Gene was a man’s man, and I would insist that he was a lady’s man. Both complimentary titles for a terrific person, and we never convinced each other to switch.
My birthday wish is for continued good health, wealth and happiness to a SUPER LADY’S MAN!
From Jeremy Dmytryshyn:
I would describe my grandfather as a hardworking honest man. He has influenced me in many ways. He has provided me and my family help countless times. One of the things I do not tell him enough is how much I love him. I hope he gets everything he wishes for his 80th birthday.
From Dick Montminy:
Gene,
As you look back over your first 80 years I'm sure you will remember many of the people, world wide, that you have met and made acquaintances with as well as the very special people in your life, your children, your grandchildren and especially your lovely wife as well as your many friends.
Your looking back is also giving me the opportunity to do the same. I remember the first time we met, I was installing a brick patio, in 90 degree heat, at my home on Churchville Rd in Southampton PA. when I heard the door bell ring, as I went thru the garage, because I was wet and full of sand, to answer the door, you introduced yourself as the new General Manager of Foxcraft and that you were now my new boss. We sat in the back yard, had a few beers, and we discussed the business as well some of the problems, as I new them, of the previous General Managers.
You turned out to be he best boss I ever had or would ever have, you also turned out to be the best partner I would ever have. As the years went by you also turned out to be one of the best friends I could ever ask for.
After my Foxcraft days had been pulled out from under me I had started a partnership with a gentlemen I had met in my Asian travels, I was not comfortable with this partnership and you
had invited me to stop over to see you on my next trip to Taiwan. After a short meeting in your office we went to lunch and I will always remember that on the way back to your office you pulled over and parked your car near the ocean, after a long walk of the beach, with much conversation, we returned to your car, shook hands and we had formed Questar+Marcom,Inc.which lasted many years.
As CEO you did an outstanding job, our clients as well as our vendors often commented on just how well our company was run.
That evening we celebrated our new company, we finished a half gallon of J&B scotch by your apartment swimming pool, you then suggested we eat dinner, you took a frozen chicken out of the freezer and thawed it using a hair dryer..............after all that scotch I don't remember what it tasted like.
Thank you again for coming into my life on that hot July day back in 1974, and for supporting me and being at my side over all these years, if it wasn't for you I do not know where I would be today.
80 is not old..........it's just a number. Don't even think about getting old, your not......
Keep the all of your days in mind my friend, all those good memories will stay with you forever.
Looking forward to seeing you again soon and sharing a "glass" of J&B scotch with you on your boat deck and maybe some "frozen chicken" later in the evening.
With Love and warmest regards to an old boss, partner and friend.
Dick and Laura
One more from Dick Montminy:
CAROLYN,
ASK UR DAD IF HE WOULD LIKE TO GO BACK INTO THE "UMBRELLA" BUSINESS .......?????
I'LL BET HE SAYS NO...
DICK