Obituary of Eugene Yuhas

Dr. Eugene “Gene” Yuhas of Troy, Michigan, died on Sunday September 12^th at age 91 when God called him home, granting Gene “peace be thine.” Gene was born in Throop, Pennsylvania on February 26, 1930 to parents Margaret (Voros) Yuhasz and Louis Yuhasz. Seeking a good life for his family, Gene’s father—a young Pennsylvania coal miner—found work in the booming automobile industry and moved his family to Detroit. Gene graduated from Western High School (1947), where he played baseball. While working at General Electric he met his wife, Virginia (Suchojad) Yuhas. From 1951-1953 Gene served in the US Army, based in Germany, and then in 1967 he graduated with his DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) from the University of Detroit. Gene practiced dentistry passionately until the age of 79. He worked out until the age of 87, the last ten years at LifeTime Fitness. He read the newspaper and watched his favorite sports teams to the very end.

Gene was a thoughtful man of high intellect and high integrity who enjoyed his life, his family and his friends. He enjoyed musicians Mario Lanza and Johnny Mathis. He loved blueberries, peanut M&Ms, chocolate cake and playing competitive handball. He also loved buying and experiencing new cars—his own, and his children’s. Gene was a fan of Michigan sports (Red Wings, Lions, Tigers and his beloved University of Michigan football—Go Blue!). He also enjoyed cigars, crossword puzzles (and in his later years, jigsaw puzzles) and weekly gatherings with friends & beers at his favorite local hangout—Shields Pizzeria in Troy. Gene was also a self-taught, around-the-house do-it-yourselfer who took great pride in his attention to detail, and results (including building a skating rink for his young children one 1970s winter).

Gene and Virginia (married 1963, 58 years) settled in Troy, Michigan where they raised a family. Gene is survived by his wife, his three children—Todd (Cindy) Yuhas, Lori Yuhas, and Pamela (Joe) Ciaramitaro—and his four amazing grandchildren: Connor, Ava, Celeste and Isabella Ciaramitaro, who lit him up. He is also survived by his sister Carol (Harry) Gutowski. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Dolores (James) Halliday and his brother Douglas (Sharon) Yuhas.

Gene will forever be remembered for his trips back to Pennsylvania and for his stories of childhood blueberry picking, “Father Al” (priest and Gene’s best friend from his Army service) and summers at Bradley Beach, NJ. He’ll be remembered for the thousands of times he entered and exited his dental practice’s big brown (back) door. He’ll be remembered for the aura and aroma of cigars—his indulgence, and for his dry humor and amused smile. And he’ll be remembered as someone who loved receiving gifts as much as he loved shopping for, and giving gifts to, his loved ones.

A Celebration of Life memorial will be held at Shield’s Pizzeria of Troy on Sunday October 3^rd from 11:30am to 3:00pm with prayers and tributes at 1pm. A mass for Gene will take place the prior day at 10:30am, Saturday October 2^nd, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Troy. Memorial contributions to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Although Gene will be dearly missed, his integrity, strength and legacy survives in the lives of those who loved him, worked with him, or enjoyed a beer with him. Gene’s final resting place will be in the Garden of Peace, White Chapel Cemetery, Troy, Michigan.

Goodbye, Gene ... Dad ... Grandpa ... Doc. Please watch over us.