 BRISSEY, EUGENE LLOYD born in Owenton, Kentucky on March 23, 1925, died peacefully at home with his wife Edith beside him on June 7, 2013. Having met in 8th grade, Gene and Edie were sweethearts when he enlisted in the Army in 1943. They were married for 65 years. He served in the European campaigns in Belgium, France, Germany, and Italy with the 82nd Airborne, 517th Parachute Infantry, Company E, becoming a squad leader and earning four Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart, among other decorations. He returned home to finish high school, then earned a Bachelor's Degree in business and history. His successful career as a civilian personnel officer for the Air Force took him and his family from Dayton, Ohio to Tokyo, Japan and finally settling in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1967. A skilled athlete, he continued playing softball for decades. Known by their friends as Gene, he and Edie enjoyed golfing, bowling, square dancing with The Roadrunners Club, fishing and exploring the Southwest in their motor home. They maintained connections with many dear friends, including those made overseas and members of the 517th. He was a generous and devoted husband, father, brother, and grandfather. Storytelling of boyhood and war experiences were gifts to the family. A careful and frugal man, he was known for using items at hand to create and repair just about anything, fondly referred to as "Gene-itizing." He is survived by his loving daughters, Denise (Craig Cohen), and Lisa (David Ellenberg), Gisele Livingston; grandchildren, Savanna (Miles Gloetzner) and Jesse Brissey-Cohen, Marlena and Ian Livingston, Lily and Iris Ellenberg; great-grandchildren, Abel, Esther, and Anton Gloetzner; as well as sisters, Ethel, Alma, Barbara, Betty, and Judy; brothers Cecil and Paul; and 21 nieces and nephews. His last years brought a struggle with PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy), managed with the tireless care of his devoted wife and family who express deep gratitude to all caregivers (VA, Right-At-Home, Ambercare) for their expert support. Memorial services are pending. In lieu of flowers, please honor a veteran (ask him his story; thank her for her service) and consider a donation to CurePSP: give.psp.org.
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