September 23, 2023, Eugene George Baumgartner, 82, of Callicoon, NY, passed away peacefully at Garnet Regional of Orange County surrounded with a few close friends at his side. Later that evening, the clouds parted, a cardinal carried his spirit to an eagle and his spirit was ushered to heaven.

Gene was born in the Bronx to his parents Edwin Baumgartner and Elizabret Smithers. He was pre-deceased much earlier in life by an older brother and sister and somewhat more recently by his partner Walter.

 Not long after he was born, Gene was introduced to the Catskill Mountains and so began a lifelong love affair with nature, animals and good people, the latter it seemed always seemed to find Gene wherever he called home. 

Gene enjoyed the company of his many pets over the years, including Kelly and Mother Cat, his beloved Bassett hounds and his turtle Sonia, all of which share his light in Heaven now.

Gene’s spiritual journey began early, and therefore was a constant in his  life and by extension, all who knew him. He was a principled man of integrity always in search of the truth, always seeking to share the many lessons he had learned upon his way with others, many whom seemed to need that special friend they had just met, usually in a chance encounter. This was Gene’s way. Always seeming to quietly make a profound difference in someone’s life at just the right time.  

Gene lived a simple but amazing life. He helped run Dell publishing in the 1960’s and was on equal ground with many of the rich and famous he met through his work. He once owned a small part of a diamond and mineral mine, drove Rolls Royce’s and other fine cars, and yet later in life found his true calling in the field of alcohol and drug recovery. It was here that he truly made the biggest difference in this world, touching people’s lives daily at some of the lowest moments of their lives. Around this time, he also joined his friends at the Villa Roma Country Club and became a fixture there over the final several decades of his life, while becoming friends with hundreds of multi-generational families that to this day call him friend. There was no person too big or small that could not call him a friend.

If you knew Gene, you knew he had a love for everyone he met and he never met a stranger. His love for people, birds, nature, silly jokes, The River, good conversation, good food, and life itself was undeniable and often unrivaled.

Gene was a special, once in a lifetime friend to so many people and he lived a great life, buoyed by his faith in humanity and the Lord Himself. 

He will be remembered at The Villa Roma Country Club in Callicoon, NY on October 7th between 3 and 6 pm. This event will take place in Marty’s Lounge.

Gene loved animals and any donations or gifts will be accepted in his name at either the Sullivan County SPCA or Dessin Animal Shelter in Honesdale, PA.