Eugene 'Gene' Gigli

Essay written by Gene's son, Anthony When I was born March 28, 1979 my parents were over the moon to have had a baby boy. After losing two other babies before I came along, little did we know just how all of our lives were changed nearly one year later when I was diagnosed with a profound hearing loss. My dad did not believe the diagnosis initially. Working through his acceptance of stark reality he seized the opportunity to teach me to be fiercely independent in my life's journey. Growing up dad and I did typical things that fathers and sons do: we went to baseball games, worked on homework together, watched tv and listened to music. He was also quite supportive of me when I decided one day to dig a hole on our empty lot for a polar bear to live in. The polar bear never arrived and the hole has since filled in. In spite of our typical activities, we became normal in the way that not many people are lucky enough to have in positively impacting the lives of countless people through non profit volunteerism. Dad was a Vietnam Veteran who served in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. We think my hearing loss is a result of his exposure to agent orange because there is not a history of hearing loss in our family. Wanting to find out more information, he joined a few groups and volunteered with many local organizations after purchasing ice cream for himself, my mother and myself in Scranton, PA. We went to The Moving Wall on display in Clarks Summit. After we returned home, he had found a new outlet to release his boundless energy. In time, he rose through the ranks to become President of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 295. That became our new father-son time. Our new normal. Watching dad put together Firebase Indy, an all veteran's reunion that attracted over 10,000 people annually, or arranging a visit of The Moving Wall so young people could be educated about the true cost of freedom or just being there for a family who needed assistance, I was busy scribing mental notes for the time when I would branch out to become involved in the same non profit work. In my own nonprofit work with Hear Indiana, a Chapter of the Alexander Graham Bell Association, I serve as Past President of the Board and volunteer to direct a summer camp for children ages 8 to 18 who primarily use spoken language as a mode to communicate. The camp grows by leaps and bounds each summer. Without my dad's influence I don't think I would have been able to lead and be an example to countless children with hearing loss that it is possible to dream and to dream big. I learned from my dad how it is possible to fearlessly be yourself, to remain humble. When dad visited the camp a few summers ago, he saw me securing Happiness with a capital H. His Happiness continued after the camp. I would already be planning the next summer's gathering. Not only would Dad talk about the camp to anyone and everyone who would listen, he would often sport the camp t-shirt he received for being a camp donor. Each summer when organizing the next or concluding the current week-long camp, I often reflect on the notes scribed over many years. As long as I'm able to I will always slip in my high powered digital hearing aids, treasure the sounds around me and soldier forward. When times get murky, I pull myself up and immediately think about how lucky I am to have learned from my hero, my buddy, my daddy. It is for and through him that I will always be embodying the old reliable spirit that dad selflessly embodied. Through this enthusiasm the legacy will continue to lead us forward, upward and provide everyone with endless inspirations for our youth, for each other and for our country. ____________________________________________ Funeral Home Obituary Gene Gigli, 63, passed away August 8, 2011. He is survived by his wife: Wanda L. Gigli, son: Anthony F. Gigli; father Joseph (Joan) Gigli of Scranton, PA; siblings: Gloria Routsong, Joseph (Judy) Gigli, Jr., Nancy Gigli, Marianne (John) Flores of Longmont, CO, and Sherry (Leonard) Kadlubowski of Scranton, PA; 4 nieces and 11 nephews. He was preceded in death by his son: Christopher M. Gigli, daughter: Carmen L. Gigli; mother and step- father, Harriett and Ira Hopper. Gene Gigli served in the U.S. Army's 9th Infantry Division in Vietnam from 1969-1970 where he earned 2 bronze stars with "V" device, two Army Commendation medals with "V" Device, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Air Medal. Gene was known for having a heart as big as the "Huey" helicopters they flew into combat. Gene worked as a meat cutter for nearly 40 years at Wheatley's Market. After retiring from meat cutting, he helped with Wheatley's Friday Night Fish Fry. Upon his return from Southeast Asia, Gene never forgot those who served and spent the next four decades serving his community, state, and Nation in various capacities. Gene was a civilian employee of the Defense Department working in the Military Pay Operations at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. A long-time President of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 295, Gene was instrumental in the establishment of the Fort Harrison Veteran's Center, which provides a home for a dozen different veterans' and civic organizations providing assistance to returning service members, veterans, and families of deployed soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. Gene was active in supporting the Lawrence July 4th Festival and visiting local schools top present living history recitations. He was instrumental in raising funds for the 2008 Veterans' Administration Golden Age Games in Indianapolis. Gene also served on the advisory committee for the Indiana Vietnam memorial; worked to designate a portion of US 31 as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway; and providing a "Hoosier Veteran" license plate. He also supported the Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation and the Hear Indiana Youth Leadership Camp which provides a camp experience for hearing impaired young people ages 8 to 18. Gene received the Sagamore of the Wabash from Governor Evan Bayh in 1993 and was recently honored by the Indiana State Council of Vietnam Veterans of America as their outstanding Member of the Year, recognizing his lifetime commitment to serving Veterans and their families. Gene was President of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 295, and Vets for Vets. He was a founder of the Firebase Indy Veterans Reunion; past Commander of VFW Post 6788; a member of the American Legion Post 128; a Life Member of Howard County Vietnam Veterans; and a Charter Member of Indiana Rolling Thunder. Even in death, Gene continues to serve others. Gene was an organ donor. Eugene Gigli leaves behind a Veterans Community which is better for having him in our ranks, but leaves a void that will never be filled. America has lost a brave warrior, a patriot, and civil servant. We have lost a brother and our friend. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at 7:00 PM at Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Center – Washington Park East, 10722 E. Washington Street. Friends are invited to meet with the family also on Thursday, August 11, 2011 from 2-7 PM at the funeral center. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Hear Indiana, P.O Box 347, Zionsville, IN 46077 or Vietnam Veterans of America, P.O Box 269279, Lawrence, IN 46226. You are invited to go to the Guest Book page to pass along your personal message or tell a story. Sincerely, -Your friends at Flanner and Buchanan