Eugene Harvey

Eugene "Gene" Harvey, 86, of Grange Road in Clay, died Monday at St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse, surrounded by his adoring family and several close friends. Gene was a native of Montezuma, NY and had resided on Dormar Drive in North Syracuse for over 20 years before moving to Clay in 1978. He was the son of the late Paul E. and Ruth M. Harvey.
Gene graduated from Port Byron High School in 1940 and from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY in 1944. He then joined the United States Navy, serving as a Lieutenant JG aboard the USS Thuban in the South Pacific Theater during WWII.
Upon discharge from the Navy, Gene earned his Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from Syracuse University in 1950, graduating Summa Cum Laude as a member of Tau Beta Pi, the Engineering Honor Society. After graduation, Gene worked for S. J. Groves & Sons Company, serving as head engineer during the construction of I-81 and the NYS Thruway. He later owned and operated Syrstone, Inc and North Syracuse Construction for 30 years, retiring in 1995.
Gene was a F&AM and a member of the Masonic Lodge #796 in Dolgeville and the North Syracuse Lions Club, a past president of the North Syracuse Chamber and a recipient of their 1981 Man of the Year Award. He was honored in 1986 with the proclamation of "Gene Harvey Day" by the NYS Assembly and received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000 from the Plank Road Chamber of Commerce.
Gene was an ardent SU sports fan and a long-time member of the Orange Pack and the Ernie Davis Club. He championed the Keystone Awards banquets which honored SU football players such as Tim Green. Gene was involved in Mattydale Pop Warner football, North Syracuse Summer Lacrosse League, North Syracuse Kiwanis Girls Softball Little League and was instrumental in the development of Tri-Town Park, the Mattydale Pop Warner football field, and the North Syracuse Veterans Memorial Park. He was a member of Andrews Memorial Methodist Church in North Syracuse and Grace Baptist Church in Pennellville.
Gene was predeceased by his adoring wife of 56 years, the former Mildred Rae Elliott, in 2001.
Surviving are his two sons: Paul Lorrie Paratore Harvey of Syracuse and Jeffrey Harvey of Baldwinsville; three daughters: Kimberly Jeffery Brenner of Pineville, NC, Jill Darin Crouse Harvey of Syracuse, and Jeanine Harvey of Clay; his six grandchildren: Rebecca, Heather, Jessica, Ryan, Colin, and Devin; two great grandchildren: Mathijs and Sophia-Graye; and his former daughters-in-law: Barbara Carlough and Janice Harvey.
Friends may call from 4-8 pm, Friday at Krueger Funeral Home, 2619 Brewerton Road, Mattydale. Services will be held Saturday at 11:30am at the funeral home. Contributions may be made to the Gene Harvey Scholarship Fund, c/o Plank Road Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 324, North Syracuse NY 13212.

* In 2010, the Plank Road Chamber of Commerce will be renaming their High School Student Awards Banquet to the "Gene Harvey Student Awards Banquet"