John P. St. John Memorial High School
Class of 1956

(Oct. 12, 1938 — Dec. 4, 2016)

From flower delivery driver in high school to being an owner of the business a few decades later, Gene rose through the ranks at Tobler’s Flowers in his 53 years with the company. In 1973, he became a director and vice president after buying stock in the previously family-held business. By 1995 he owned the floral company and continued to impress his colleagues and industry peers with his attention to detail and work ethic until he retired in 2009. Another passion of Gene’s was his lifelong dedication to the Boy Scouts. While in high school, he earned the Pro Deo Et Patria Award and Eagle Scout in 1954. As an adult, he received the Silver Beaver Award and the 45-year Veteran Scouter Award. He served as assistant scoutmaster for the 1988 National Scout Jamboree, and was a trailmaster with the High Adventure Brigade program. Serving as scoutmaster, troop treasurer and committee member for Troop 86 for most of his adult life, Gene organized local and national camping trips, spent countless hours volunteering at Camp Naish and other camps, and organized a program to provide affordable physical examinations for area scouts and leaders.