Eugene "Gene" Cavicchioni

Eugene “Gene” Cavicchioni, 89, of Iron Mountain, passed away on Saturday, October 19, 2019 at the Oscar G. Johnson V.A. Medical Center. Eugene was born September 11, 1930 in Iron Mountain, son of the late Mariano and Madeline (Badini) Cavicchioni. He attended school in Iron Mountain, Michigan. Eugene went into the Army - 3rd Division in 1950 and served for three years receiving an Honorable Discharge. He was wounded twice in Korea, December 1950 and April 1951. He returned to the U.S. in.1951 and went to Percy Jones Hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan. Eugene received a Purple Heart during his time serving our country. In 1952 Eugene was reassigned to 101 Police Battalion in San Francisco, California. In December of 1952 was transferred to Germany with the 4th Division. In 1954 he came back to Iron Mountain and became a Deputy Sheriff in Dickinson County for Sheriff Harry Julian. Eugene joined the VA as a Nursing Assistant in 1955. He spent 20 years at the VA and retired in 1970 on full disability. He started volunteering at County Courthouse in 1978 as a probation officer and continued for 16 years. He worked with Judge Celello, Brouillette, & Schwedler. In 1992 he became Commander of the Military Order of Purple Heart for the State of Michigan, also, became a member of Re-Entry House, served on the Board of Directors for 23 years with 11years as Chairman of the Board. Eugene had volunteered at the VA for over 30 years. In 2010 he received the outstanding VA Volunteer from President Obama. Eugene was a life member of MOPH, DAV, VFW, and a member of American Legion post 50. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Helen (Helenius) from Rock, MI, his 2 sons, James Mario Cavicchioni (Angela Reed) David Gene Cavicchioni (Kelley), and the apple of his eye, his granddaughter Carissa Bella Cavicchioni. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Judy (Bob) Sanicki, Kristine (Norman) Fontaine, Madeleine (Anthony) Crespo, Daniel (Dawn) Cavicchioni, Debra (Mike) Church, Renee Tousignant, Pam (Dave) Angen and Paul E. (Brenda) Aubin. He was preceded in death by his parents Madeline and Mario, brothers Frank (Julia), Daniel (Estelle), sister Evelyn (Melvin) Tousignant. We invite you to remember Gene and honor our Veterans by attending the VA Medical Center’s Veterans Day Program at 11:00 am on Monday, November 11th in Room 5150 at the VA. Immediately following the program there will be military graveside honors for Gene conducted by the Uren-Cooper-Johnson American Legion Post 50 at Iron Mountain Cemetery Park. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Eugene Cavicchioni online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.

Eugene "Gene" Cavicchioni

September 11, 1930 - October 19, 2019