The Reverend Mr. Eugene C. Dawson passed away March 7, 2026, in Newark, Ohio. A native of Corning, Ohio, Dcn. Gene was born October 21, 1945, in Corning Ohio, to George G. and Violet M. (Musick) Dawson.
After graduating from Corning High School in 1963, he went to work for the New York Central Railroad, and in 1965 he began a 30-year career for Rockwell International in Heath, Ohio. In addition, he was trained and certified as an emergency medical technician in Ohio, served as the Squad Chief for the Somerset, Ohio, Fire Department, and was instrumental in establishing and developing the emergency squad system in Perry County, Ohio. He married his wife Margaret “Peggy” E. Lunning on August 29, 1964, at St. Bernard Church in Corning.
Dcn. Gene was ordained a Deacon of the Catholic Church by the Most Reverend James A. Griffin, Bishop of Columbus, at St. Joseph Cathedral February 17, 1990. He served the people of St. Joseph and Holy Trinity parishes in Somerset for nearly 40 years, and was assigned to St. Mary of the Assumption Basilica in Lancaster, Ohio, for one year.
Dcn. Gene is survived by his beloved wife of more than 61 years, Peggy; three sons Jeffrey Allen (Anita) Dawson of Westerville, David Eugene (Christina) Dawson of Waverly, and Michael Todd (Tonya) Dawson of Newark; seven grandchildren, Sanda Dawson, Cassandra (Jason) Wood, Heather Dawson, Meranda (David) Cooper, Sierra (Adrian) Balser, Amber (Drew) Hiles, and Joseph Dawson; eleven great grandchildren, Landon Dawson Parks, Lexie Wood, Lillian and Leighton Henry, Alahna, Emery and Mila Cooper, Violet and Penny Balser, Arlo Annis and Jude Hiles; as well as many other family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Cheryl Ann Dunwoody, and brother Larry Musick.
The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated March 10, 2026, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Somerset, by Father Mark Ghiloni, and Dcn. Phil Paulucci was the homilist. He was interred at Holy Trinity’s Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Dcn. Gene’s memory to Holy Trinity School, 225 S. Columbus St., Somerset, Ohio, 43783.
Eternal rest grant unto Deacon Gene, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.