Eugene Joseph Lewandowski, age 84 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died peacefully on Monday, February 20, 2023, surrounded by his cherished family.

Gene was born on March 2, 1938, at home on Darcy Street in Newark, NJ’s Ironbound section. He was the son of the late Frank and Helen Lytkowski Lewandowski, the seventh of eight children. Growing up, “Lefty” led a happy life attending St. Casimir’s School and East Side High School.

Gene grew up living and eventually proposed to “the girl next door”, Jo Anne Buccine. On September 8, 1962, they wed and moved to Cranford, NJ. There they had three children: Ellen, Mark, and Karen. He worked over 40 years as a machine engraver with Pamarco in Roselle, NJ. By his example, his children learned the value of hard work and self-reliance.

After retiring, Gene and Jo Anne moved to Clarksville, VA, where they had twelve golden years with friends and family, enjoying all aspects of their beautiful lakefront property. He was an active third-degree member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Catherine of Sienna Parish.

Gene was blessed with six grandchildren and cherished every moment being with each of them. He enjoyed attending their sporting events, and even just spending quality time hanging out together. They eventually decided to move back north to Flemington, NJ, to be closer to their family.

Gene was a daily communicant and altar server at St. Magdalen de Pazzi Parish, along with enjoying the Wednesday novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. On Tuesdays Gene and two other friends helped the Franciscan monks at the Newark friary.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Anne Alban, Elizabeth “Betty” DiGidio, Frank “Sonny” Lewandowski, Joan “Coby” Pohlig, Joseph “Joey” Lewandowski, and Richard “Puff” Lewandowski.

Surviving is his wife, Jo Anne, his children and their spouses, Ellen and Bob Gosselin, Mark and Ellen Marie Lewandowski, and Karen Zito; his grandchildren, Brandon Lewandowski, Brianna Gosselin and her finance, Dan, Emilie Lewandowski, Kayla Gosselin, David and Julia Zito; his sister and brother-in-law, Josephine “Cookie” Wysocki and Carl; numerous sister-in-laws; brother-in-laws; nieces; nephews; cousins; extended family; and many dear friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Magdalen Church, 105 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ, under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ. Everyone is kindly asked to meet directly at the church on Tuesday morning beginning at 9:45 a.m. Please follow the instructions of Wright & Ford Family Care Team Family Ambassadors upon arrival.

Realizing that some may be unable to attend, the Mass of Christian Burial will be live-streamed, with the stream being active starting at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday. To watch, please go back to Eugene’s main obituary page and click the PLAY button where you see the picture under Service.

Interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover, NJ, will be private.

You are encouraged to visit Eugene’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Community of Franciscan Friars, P.O. Box 404, South Orange, NJ 07079.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”