Eugene "Gene" Marvin Donatelli ’47 was born on Feb. 9, 1926. A resident of Santa Cruz, he passed away in Santa Cruz on Tuesday, March 12, 2013. His last days were spent at home with his family. Born in Seattle, he moved to San Jose with his parents Frank and Madelyn when he was two years old. He went to Bellarmine for high school and to Santa Clara University. He was an Army Coreman Gunnery Instructor in the US Army Air Force during WWII. Gene met Mary on a blind date, and they married in 1949. His work career included a family grocery store, sales and working in construction. He founded Donatelli Sons Construction in 1970 and retired in 1988. Gene enjoyed backpacking in the Sierras, fishing trips to Canada, and traveling the world with Mary. He was a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and raised money for the Alzheimer’s Association through the yearly fundraiser. He recently celebrated his 87th birthday with about 100 of his friends and family. He "loved" golf, walking his dog Fergie, building furniture and art structures with wood, baking his famous cookies and spending time with his family and friends. He also enjoyed watching detective shows with his loving and patient caregiver Fabiola Herrera. The family is grateful to Fabi for her care of both Mary and Gene. Gene was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Mary, his son Eugene (Pilar), and his daughter, Catherine. Gene is survived by six children: Chris (Theresa), Susan, Tim, Michael (Barbara), Margaret (Kelly) and Grace (Mark); his grandchildren Chris, Jenny, Paul, Natalie, Elena, Angela, Stephanie, Tony, Gina, Rachael, Vincent, Catherine, Miles and Monica; his great grandchildren Aiden, Timmy, Isabella, Cameron, Gabriella, Jacob, Bryce, Daniella, and Emma.