Obituary of Eugene F. Tierney

Eugene (Gene) F. Tierney, 88 of Somers, N.Y. formerly of Dix Hills, NY

Devoted husband of Mary A. (Bolger) Tierney

Passed peacefully the morning of June 18, 2018 at Northern Westchester Hospital. Loving son of Eugene & Nora (Costello) Tierney, survived by sisters Marie Oleske, Veronica Hornby, and brother John Tierney. He was the devoted father of Ann Marie Herlihy (John Herlihy), Eugene F. Tierney, Jr., Mary Ellen Greenblatt (Michael Greenblatt) and Dr. Elizabeth G. Tierney Conrad (Thomas Conrad) and proud grandfather of Rachel & David Greenblatt, John & Brian Herlihy, and Caitlin, Thomas & Brendan Conrad.

Gene was born December 11, 1929, the fourth of eight children. Always a hard worker, at eight years of age he was ‘houseboy” to a wealthy Park Avenue family who took him to their summer home at the Long Island shore. There, Gene learned to fish, crab, swim and water ski, developing a love of the outdoors and watersports, a quality he later instilled in his children.

He graduated Cardinal Hays High School, Manhattan College and City College of New York with additional studies at Columbia University.  After earning his MA in History, he enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Japan where he volunteered as an English-language teacher to Japanese nationals.

After returning to civilian life, he taught history at Grover Cleveland High School, later becoming a Guidance Counselor, Administrator and Assistant Principal at schools in Brooklyn and Queens.

A mutual friend introduced Gene and Mary on a blind date. The first date didn’t go so well, but Mary decided to give Gene one more try. They fell in love to the sound of the waves at Jones Beach under the warm October sun and were married six months later. Their sixty-year marriage is an enviable example to their children and grandchildren.

Devoted to the Roman Catholic faith, the couple attended Mass at St. Joseph’s of Somers. They were champion shuffleboard and bocce players, belonging to two Italian clubs, even though they were of Irish-descent. They were also known for their elegant ballroom dancing and love of music.

His family will receive friends on Friday, June 22nd from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at Clark Associates Funeral Home, 4 Woods Bridge Road, Katonah, NY.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, June 23rd at 10:00 am at St. Joseph’s RC Church, 95 Plum Brook Road, Somers, NY 10589

Entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven Mausoleum, Hartsdale, NY

In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to:

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, NYC-Southern New York Chapter at https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Chapters/NYN/Donate

Misericordia Heart of Mercy https://www.misericordia.com/donations/donate_online.aspx

Northern Westchester Hospital https://www.nwhconnect.org/donate

Sisters of Mercy Regional Community, 150 Ridge Rd, Hartsdale, NY 10530