On October 10th, 2022, just one day shy of his 87th birthday, Gene Raymond Stilwell Sr. joined The Lord in heaven to rest eternally. Gene was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and friend who embodied unconditional love in every aspect of his life.
A true southern gentleman, Gene was born and raised in Bunker Hill, West Virginia (1935) to the late Lucy Armel Stilwell and Boyd Raymond Stilwell. Gene was the oldest of their four children: Phyllis Fahnestock of Winchester, VA, who preceded him in death in 2018, June Hottle of Charles Town, WV, and Betty Miller of Winchester, VA. He joined The United States Air Force at the age of eighteen in 1954 and served our country faithfully until he was honorably discharged from active duty in 1958.
Gene went on to receive a degree in business management after taking courses at Newbury Junior College and Northeastern University. He held a number of jobs, the two most notable being a Project Administrator at Foxboro Administration and an Engineering Technician at U.S. Army Natick Research and Development Center, before ultimately retiring in 2000.
While working at Air Force Cambridge Research Center at MIT in 1955, Gene met the love of his life, Victoria Lotfy. She waited patiently for his return after being stationed in Saudi Arabia for a year and the two ultimately married in 1957. Their connection was immediate and remained strong through 65 years of marriage.
Newlyweds Gene and Victoria Stilwell started cultivating the life they had always dreamed of by welcoming their first son, Gene Raymond Stilwell Jr. in 1958. The family resided in Savannah, Georgia for a year before settling into Medway, Massachusetts and adding their daughter, Lynn Amelia Stilwell (now Sullivan), in 1964 and youngest son, Robert Edward Stilwell, in 1968 to complete their family.
One of the greatest joys in Gene’s life was being a father. His children fondly recall his consistently warm, welcoming, and kind presence. Gene never shied away from lending them a hand even as they grew older - he could often be found doing various odd jobs around each of their houses before settling in to watch football and spend time with his family.
Above all the responsibilities and titles Gene held over the course of his life, the one he cherished most was Grandpa. He was the ultimate “Gramps” to his grandchildren and never missed a sports game, dance recital, awards ceremony, or graduation. Gene loved to dance and draw with them and had a special way of making sure each of them felt like the only person in the room.
Gene is survived by his loving wife and soulmate, Victoria Stilwell, and their three children; Gene and his partner Maureen of Brentwood, NH; Lynn and her husband Dan of Hopkinton; and Robert and his partner Christine of Mansfield. His survivors also include his beloved seven grandchildren; Amelia Stilwell; Kayla, Connor, Jillian and Danielle Sullivan; Jake and Joey Stilwell, and his sisters; June Hottle and Betty Miller.
He is predeceased in death by his sister Phyllis Fahnestock and his daughter-in-law Norma Stilwell.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Friday, October 14 from 4 - 7 p.m. at the Ginley Crowley Funeral Home, 3 Barber St. in Medway (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com)
His funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 15 at Christ Episcopal Church, 14 School St. in Medway at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery in Medway.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in Gene’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital Research, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.