Gene Edward Fox's Obituary
Gene Edward Fox, age 89, of Madison Heights, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Friday January 27, 2023, at William Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak, Michigan.
He was born on August 9, 1933 to Josephine and Edward Fox of Saginaw, Michigan. Gene graduated from Arthur Hill High School in Saginaw in 1951.
Gene’s working career started in 1951 at just 18 years old with Pittsburgh Paint & Glass (PPG) in Saginaw, Michigan. The family then moved to Madison Heights, Michigan in 1973 where he worked in the newly opened facility of the PPG distribution center. He retired from PPG in 1986 and was then offered a position with Standard Paint in Detroit. When that business closed he went to work part-time with Patch Sales in Madison Heights, Michigan.
While working at PPG, he met his wife, Janice K. Chmielewski and they married in 1962. Gene is survived by his beloved wife, Janice and their two children: Steve (Loyd Paul Nagao) Fox and Julie (Ted) McGinley. He is also survived by his two grandchildren: Claire and Jacob McGinley, half-siblings, Grant Fox, Richard Fox and Susan Fox. He is preceded in death by his sisters - Janet Claire, Joann Lamia and Lorraine Mead.
He was very proud of his children and grandchildren and their many accomplishments. He felt one of life’s greatest joys was being a husband, father and papa.
Gene was a man who at a young age learned to knit socks for those in World War II. From there he taught himself how to knit sweaters which he would make for himself, Janice, his children and other family members. He eventually would sell them at local craft shows around Oakland and Macomb counties and even around the Midland/Gladwin area. His other hobby was gardening. He truly enjoyed being out in the garden tending to his flowers, fruits and vegetables.
He made many friendships over the years in the choirs at St. Dennis Catholic Church, The Madison Chorale and more recently at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church. Gene was also a cantor while in the choir at St. Dennis and would lead the congregation in the musical ministry part of the Masses.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 2nd from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm with a Scripture Service at 7:00 pm at Hopcroft Funeral Home, 31145 John R. Road, (1 block N. of 13 Mile Road, west side of John R. Road), Madison Heights, Michigan. The funeral service will be held on Friday, February 3rd beginning with the 9:30 am instate/visitation followed by the 10:00 am Funeral Mass at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church, 28353 Herbert St., Madison Heights, Michigan. Gene will be laid to rest later this year in his hometown of Saginaw.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the following:
The Michigan Humane Society https://www.michiganhumane.org or
The Dementia Society of America https://www.dementiasociety.org
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