Eugene L. Roux (Gene) lifelong Tewksbury resident and patriarch of well-known family passed away peacefully on February 23rd after years of declining health at the Baker-Katz Skilled Nursing facility in Haverhill, MA.
Gene was born in Tewksbury on December 4, 1928. He spent his entire life in the town of Tewksbury. He was the youngest son of Phaida J. and Maria (LeMay) Roux. Gene was predeceased by his wife Dorothy who passed away in 2006.
Gene was a Navy veteran that served on the USS Midway in WWII and the Korean War. After serving his country, Gene worked at the Tewksbury State Hospital where he would work for many decades and ultimately retire. In 1956 he started Tewksbury Sewer Service with his wife Dorothy which still operates today.
Gene was known across the area as someone who would do anything to help anybody in need. The years with Tewksbury Sewer Service became many late nights and Holiday emergency calls from businesses and people in need. Gene never hesitated to find a way to get to their problem and solve the issues. Many a Christmas Eve was spent on emergency calls to restaurants and homes to help them stay in business and functioning. This level of service is what allowed Gene to build a thriving business that still runs today. His sons took the torch that was passed to them and continued that level of service.
Upon returning from his service, he Married Dorothy (McCartney) and started a family in the “Roux Village” situated in the center of Tewksbury. They had 4 sons and were always active at their sons’ sporting events, both attending and hosting post-game gatherings. Gene was always there to hand you a beer and have a laugh back at the house. Gene also was a charter member of the Tewksbury-Wilmington Elks and a past Commander of the American Legion.
Gene was an avid sports fan. For many years he wouldn’t miss a Bruins game. He also always had the Red Sox game on the radio during the long nights of working on the sewer truck. Above all else, Gene’s passion was simply hard work. He enjoyed a shovel in his hands and valued physical labor above all else. This blue-collar grit paid off for he and his family and is still evident across his sons today.
He loved hosting people for horseshoe tournaments and later became a passionate pool player. The Goat Bar was always the local hangout and years back the sounds of horseshoes clanging became an every day/night occurrence. When pool became his game, the basement was full of people waiting to get the next game. Gene, aka “The Rhino” was always the man to beat. His son’s friends have vivid memories of those nights of playing pool, drinking beer and earning the bragging rights of beating the “The Rhino”!
Gene was the youngest and last surviving member of Phaida and Maria’s family. His siblings Gloria, Elaine, Victor, Louis and Pauline all passed away over the years.
Gene is survived by his sons Charles and his wife Linda of Tewksbury, Joseph and his wife Julie of Ashville, NC and Eric and his wife Michelle of Salem, NH. He also 14 grandchildren: Michael, Danielle, Nicole, Elizabeth, Matthew, Anthony, Joey, Rene, Jesse, Christine, Casey, Cameron, Brady, and Jordan. He also leaves 24 great grandchildren. He was also pre-diseased by his son Eugene (Mouse) Roux who passed away in 2021.
In addition to his immediate family several others played a key role in Gene’s life. Kevin Conlon became a 5th son in many ways and was always there for a beer or to help Gene. Bonnie Rosemond stepped up as a valued caretaker for Gene, especially during the last few difficult years. Their friendship and support was a true blessing in the last years of Gene’s life.
You are welcome to attend his calling hours on Thursday, February 29, 2024 from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the Tewksbury Funeral Home, 1 Dewey Street, Tewksbury, MA. His funeral service will take place in the funeral home at the conclusion of the calling hours at 11 a.m.. Burial will follow at the Tewksbury Cemetery. www.tewksburyfuneralhome.com