POTSDAM – Mr. Gene W. Brundage, 74, of 8071 US Highway 11, died Tuesday morning, November 1, 2016 at Canton-Potsdam Hospital.
Gene was born November 6, 1941 on Sugar Island in the Town of Potsdam, the son of Theron Willard and Kathleen Durham Brundage. He attended schools in Potsdam and entered the US Navy in 1959. After basic training at Great Lakes, Illinois, he reported aboard the USS Wrangell AE-12 for duty in the Mediterranean Sea 6th Fleet, visiting Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey, France, and later across the Atlantic to Scotland. After returning to the United States in 1962, he was transferred to the USS Preserver ARS-8, which he served aboard during the Cuban Missile Crisis and until his honorable discharge in December 1962. After returning home, he married Elizabeth Lynn Matott on August 17, 1963 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Jordan, officiating. She predeceased him on September 8, 2013.
On May 1st, 1963, Gene was hired by the Village of Potsdam as a Police Officer. In 1982, Gene became the departments first part-time Juvenile Officer and Crime Prevention Officer. In 1984, Gene was appointed to full-time Juvenile Officer Investigator until his retirement in 1996 after 35 years of service. Gene joined the New York Police Juvenile Officers Association in 1982 and served as a Regional Representative for Region 7, which included the counties of St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Franklin, and Lewis. He also was elected as the 2nd Vice President and received the Juvenile Officer of the Year Award in 1994. Gene was also elected a Potsdam Town Councilman in 1984, serving until 1988 and served two years as a deputy supervisor under Leslie Cook. In 1988, Gene was elected as the Potsdam Town Supervisor, serving until 1996. Gene was the first local police officer to become “politically” involved in the community. He was also awarded the Village of Potsdam employee of the year in the Police Department.
Gene is survived by his son, Gene; his brother, Randy Brundage and wife, Julieann; his sister, Roxanne and Lynn Smith; several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and his loving wife of 50 years, Gene was predeceased by two sisters, Rosalie Wright and Lorna Wagner; and his brother, Chester Brundage.
At his request, there will be no calling hours. A graveside service will be held Saturday, 11:00 AM at the Pleasant View Cemetery, Degrasse.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may consider Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley in memory of Gene and Lynn Brundage.
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