Eugene Edward Niedzwiecki, 83, of Citrus Springs, died Wednesday, March 4, at Munroe Regional Medical Center. The son of Helen and Albert Niedzwiecki was born Oct. 13, 1931, in Detroit, Michigan. A graduate of the Henry Ford Trade School, Gene went to work for the Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, MI, where he retired after nearly 40 years of dedicated service as a draftsman and design engineer. Gene was a proud Ford man whose many accomplishments included designing elements of the first Mustang.
Gene met and married Joann Kuhnert in June 1954, while serving in the U.S. Air Force; she died in 1994. Gene and Joann lived in Livonia MI, for many years, where they raised their children, Diane (Chuck) Neal and Matthew (Donna) Niedzwiecki; they survive him, along with grandson Jack and granddaughters Julia, Laura and Katie.
Gene married Carol Vitt on December 5, 1998, in Citrus Springs. She survives him, along with her children and grandchildren: Steven (Elena) Vitt and children Dennis, Trace and Rachel; Jon and Patricia Vitt and children Brendan, Kristin and Addison; Tina Muller and sons Kris and Nik.
He is also survived by sisters Virginia Guilfoil and Annette Cheston and brother Robert Sadowski, and many nieces and nephews. His sister, Irene Kuzmonovich, died earlier this year.
Our husband, dad, brother, uncle, friend and grandpa will be remembered for his faith, optimism, generosity, love of golf and sense of humor. His spirit lives on in the many people he loved, and who loved him greatly.
A celebration of Gene’s life is planned for 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at Holy Faith Episcopal Church, Dunnellon. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to
the Orthopaedic Institute for Children, www.ortho-institute.org, or the American Cancer Society.
Special thanks to everyone who helped Gene during the last several years, especially his friends and caregivers at Cedar Creek Assisted Living in Crystal River, to whom his family is most grateful.