Eugene Joseph McCall

Eugene Joseph McCall, age 89, of Dunnellon, FL, passed away peacefully early Tuesday morning, September 17, 2019, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer at Legacy House Hospice of Marion County, FL.  He was born an only child in Detroit, MI to Isabel Mackintosh on May 12, 1930 and raised by his maternal grandparents in New York City. Gene, through scholarships, had the privilege of attending St. Ignatius Loyola Elementary School and Fordham Preparatory High School in New York City.  It was during his time there he met a group of lifelong friends who never lost touch with each other and remained extremely close throughout their long lives. Gene put himself through college by working construction on many of New York City’s high rises, placing concrete rebar and forms by day, and attending engineering classes by night.  He received his bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Manhattan College.  He married the love of his life, Maryann Mazzochi, on October 23, 1954, nearly 65 years ago.

The hard working couple spent their early married life working full time jobs during the week and leaving the city on weekends to build their own house by hand Westchester county. Years later, the couple finally left the city and moved into their dream house in Somers NY where they started a family.  In addition to their three children, they welcomed many foster children in need of a stable environment into their loving home. Throughout his career as an Engineer, Gene worked at several large Aerospace corporations serving the US military and was always proud of his role keeping his country strong and safe. The family moved with Gene’s jobs to Brigantine, NJ, Ormond Beach, FL, and Sicklerville, NJ, where he finished out his career.  In southern New Jersey, Gene became active in local support groups and his church. In 2005, he and Maryann moved to Dunnellon, FL to enjoy retirement and the warm climate. They were joined there by Maryann’s sister and husband, two of his dearest friends. His life in Florida was a full one.  He filled his days with fishing, golf and gardening with his wife Maryann, all while still remaining devoted to his church and helping those in his community struggling with addiction. Even as his health declined, he always wore the biggest smile in the room and continued enjoying his two favorite activities:  eating and gabbing.  Gene could, and did, talk to anyone and everyone as if they were lifelong friends. He never saw a baby he didn’t go out of his way to make giggle and smile or a dog he didn’t stop to pet.   And he sure did enjoy a good dessert buffet,  which possibly was the only thing in life he was unkind to. Eugene is survived by his wife, Maryann (Mazzochi), and two children, Suzanne (Paul) Markoff of Tamarac, FL, and Bob (Wendy) McCall of Havertown, PA.  He also leaves behind three grandchildren, Janice McCall of Auburn, WA, and Alexander and Nathan McCall of Havertown, PA.  Gene is preceded in death by his son, Eugene James McCall.

A service will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at a future date and Eugene’s remains will be interred at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthrone, NY later this year.

Psalm 73:26  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

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