EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA

Obituaries

November 29, 2010

Gene Losik, 25

NORTH ANDOVER — Raytheon electrical engineer, Gene Losik, 25, who was last seen at the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel in Boston, on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010, was recovered at Rowes Wharf on Monday, Nov. 8, 2010. A Celebration of Life service will be held for him on Dec. 3, 2010,. from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Indian Ridge Country Club in Andover.

Gene Losik was born in Belarus, on Nov. 24, 1984. He emigrated to the United States on his seventh birthday with his parents, Zhanna and Vlad Losik in 1991. His parents, presently residents of Hudson, N.H., settled in North Andover, where Gene, an honor roll student, attended North Andover High School, Class of 2003.. He also earned his black belt in karate during these years.

After high school, Gene continued his education at the College of Engineering at University of Massachusetts, Amherst, obtaining a degree in electrical engineering in 2008. At UMass, Amherst, he established a Paintball Club, serving as its first president. During his studies, he worked in the antenna research laboratory and. the experience gained there eventually brought him to the attention of Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems in Tewksbury. Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems provides integrated solutions to an international and domestic customer base, including the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Homeland Security.

He was hired in 2008, upon graduation, to work on development of test equipment for validation and analysis of products. He was highly regarded for his work at Raytheon and was in the process of a promotion to a team leader.

"He was a hard worker and smart," says Graham Palermo, friend and co-worker. "Gene had a great future ahead of him. When asked for advice, he would be thoughtful and give answers that would help in the best way possible.. His intentions when guiding others were always inspired with the hope of seeing a better result evolve. He was both positive and effective."

Gene was a serious and responsible student and employee, but he was known to enjoy life and was extremely witty and personable. His fun-loving manner endeared him to his friends and co-workers, as evidenced by the hundreds of people who came to help when he went missing, and who built a website in his honor to aid in the search. He could be counted on to assist anyone in need, and, thus, no one turned a blind eye when his beloved parents and girlfriend, Caitlin McGovern, needed their support. The Celebration of Life event has been created to honor the memory of this outstanding young man as well as to thank those who offered aid and encouragement. Participants are asked to bring their favorite memories to illustrate the ways in which Gene touched their lives.

"This is what Gene would have wanted, " says Zhanna Losik, "to be remembered with shared stories, love and laughter. So, we have asked his friends to gather together and celebrate our son's life."

"Gene was known throughout our community, socially and in the workplace, for his integrity and humor," says Caitlin McGovern, who is also employed at Raytheon and who lived with Gene both in Northampton and Lawrence. "He touched so many lives in positive ways. He was a disciplined and dedicated worker and friend, who was greatly admired and respected. This celebration confirms not only that Gene will be missed, but that he will always be remembered."

According to Gene's closest friend, Rick Keilty, Gene was friendly to everyone. "The thing that I will miss most about Gene, " Rick adds, "was his gift to make everyone around him laugh. He had the uncanny ability to say just the right thing to those who required his advice. A few moments in his company and you were in good spirits, no matter what was bothering you. You could trust him, confide in him, and rely on his wisdom. The Celebration of Life service is the perfect tribute to a man who gave so much of himself to others."

Gene is survived by his loving parents, Zhanna and Vlad Losik, and his sister, Anya of Hudson, N.H.;. his significant other, Caitlin McGovern of Somerville; his grandparents, Anatoly and Ida Fridland of Brookline, and Edward and Valentina Brook-Levinson of Israel; his uncles, Alexander Losik, Belarus; and Gene Fridland of Westport, Conn.; and his aunts, Ellen Fridland of New York City, and Natasha Brook-Levinson of Israel.

ARRANGEMENTS: The Celebration of Life event will be held on Friday, Dec. 3, 2010, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Indian Ridge Country Club, 73 Lovejoy Road, Andover. Arrangements are under the direction of the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc.. For online condolences and other information, please go to www.breenfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to LostNMissing, Inc, a state and federally recognized 501c(3) Non-Profit charitable organization at 26 Noyes Road, Londonderry, NH 03053, or online at www.lostnmissing.com.

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    The daughter of the late Anthony and Josephine (Vaskelonis) Pivnickas, Genevieve was born on June 28, 1917, in Detroit, Michigan. She was educated in Methuen schools, and was a graduate of the Edward F. Searles High School in Methuen, Class of 1934. She was a graduate of the Lawrence General Hospital, School of Nursing in 1938, and shortly thereafter received her Registered Nurses's certification from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (R.N.). She also earned her teaching degree in 1960, from the Teachers College of Columbia University in New York City. She was a Registered Nurse at mainly New England Baptist Hospital in Boston and Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. When she returned to Methuen, she was employed for several local hospitals. After retiring from nursing, she was employed as a retail clerk at the former Mahoney's Pharmacy at Swan and Prospect Sts. in Methuen, for many years. She resided on Boston Street in Methuen for many years. She was a former member of the YWCA, and held membership in National and State Nurse's Associations. After her mother's death, she would winter in Arizona, until she took up residence in Sun City, AZ, in the mid 1990s. It was in Sun City, where she met her late husband, Dr. Morris J. Nicholson, whom she married at the age of 82. She met him while she was working in Boston hospitals, where he was an anesthesiologist, during her early nursing career, and he was a widower in Sun City.

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  • Patrick M. Quinn, 55

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  • Rita P. (Fleming) Casey, 92

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  • Tuesday, February 21, 2012
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  • Edward H. Dufresne, Jr., 53

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  • John C. "Yanni" Trihias, 72

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  • Patrick M. Quinn, 55

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  • Robert Jason Heald Sr., 63

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  • Sister Estelle Domingue,

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  • Monday, February 20, 2012
  • Barbara Jean Gonet, 61

    Barbara Jean Gonet, 61, a resident of Lowell, MA, formerly of Lawrence, MA, passed away on Thursday, February 16, 2012, at Saints Medical Center in Lowell.

    Born in Lawrence, daughter of the late Edward J. and Hannah (Moody) Gonet, Barbara was educated in the Lawrence Schools and was a 1968 graduate of Lawrence High School. She had worked for AT&T for 30 years retiring in 1998. Members of Barbara's family include her daughter: Jennifer L. Gonet with whom she resided, her brothers and sisters: Edward of Oregon, Dorothy and her husband Arthur Reynolds of Salem, NH, James of Salem, NH, Gloria and her husband Angel Mercado of Methuen, MA, and Donald of North Andover, MA, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother John Gonet.

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    Feb 20, 2012 1 Photo
  • James C. Bradley, 76

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    Feb 20, 2012 1 Photo
  • John C. "Yanni" Trihias, 72

    John C. “Yanni” Trihias, 72 of Plaistow, NH, died Saturday, February 18, at the Merrimack Valley Hospice House, Haverhill.

    He was born in Greece, October 5, 1939, son of the late Kanstandinos and Alexandra (Petrakis) Trihias.

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    Feb 20, 2012
  • Jon E. Savory,

    Jon E. Savory, 63, of Danvers, died Thursday, February 16, 2012, in the Kaplan Family Hospice House following a brief illness. He was the husband of Patricia (Muse) Savory, with whom he shared 37 years of marriage.

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    Feb 20, 2012 1 Photo
  • Leonard G. Tuminowski, 88

    – Leonard George Tuminowski Retired Methuen Firefighter died February 16, 2012 at Oceanside Skilled Nursing Facility In Hampton, NH, with his family by his side. He was 88 years old.

    Born in Dorchester, Ma. Firefighter Tuminowski was a longtime resident and employee in the Town of Methuen before moving to Seabrook, NH several years ago.

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    Feb 20, 2012

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