Gene McClure, Jr. Memorial

Eugene John McClure, Jr.
Gene arrived in the late in the afternoon (4:22p.m.) on Veteran’s Day, November 11th, 1980. He was a cute little guy with blond hair, blue eyes and a wonderful disposition.  He was the first of our three sons, and my little buddy for a long time.

Little Gene was a bright, sensitive, loving child, with a warm heart, inquisitive nature and a wonderful imagination.  He enjoyed so many things in life.

Warm summer days would be spent with his brothers and friends playing at the beach or splashing around in the pool.  He also loved playing on his Slip and Slide, and I can still hear his laugh, as he would get a running start, torpedo his skinny little body down the long, yellow plastic strip and emerge with a huge smile on his grass-streaked face.  If he wasn’t swimming, you could find him riding his bike, tearing around on his Hot Wheels or cruising along in his little blue electric car.  But Gene’s true passion was playing in his sandbox with his dump trucks, backhoes and loaders.  He would spend hours in his version of “The Pit” making and delivering construction materials, or greasing and repairing his equipment…..just like Dad.

Winters were spent sledding, ice skating and building snow forts to provide shelter from the onslaught of incoming snowballs.  Gene, his brothers, and all the neighborhood kids would get together and divide up into “sides” to play war.  No side ever won of course, the war usually ended when everyone was cold and tired, or it was just too dark outside to play anymore.
Then of course, there was always the traditional snowman to be built, and the sidewalks and driveway that needed shoveling.   Hot chocolate was always a favorite after a cold, wet day playing in the snow, and Gene could be found bundled up in a warm blanket with only his bright red cheeks, blue eyes, and huge smile showing.  He would sip his cocoa slowly, as he and his brothers carefully reviewed the events of the day and planned their strategy for tomorrow.

Gene had a very warm spot in his heart for animals.  He adored his Golden Retriever Kelly, and all 14 of her puppies.  He was devastated each time one of them was to be given up for adoption.  He couldn’t understand why we couldn’t keep them; after all, they were family.   He also delighted in his fish, birds, and gerbils.  Some of his favorite times were spent at The Enchanted Forrest, William Rogers Park and Zoo, feeding the ducks at the Duck Pond, and taking Kelly for a walk in the woods at the Arboretum.

Playing sports was a great physical and social outlet for Gene.  He started playing T-ball for Waterford South, and continued on through Little League, Babe Ruth and High School Baseball.    He loved the ruggedness of football and played Peewee Football for the Waterford Tigers and eventually, J.V. and Varsity Football for Waterford High School.  He even tried soccer and ice hockey for a little while.

School was a place where Gene always excelled.  He was a smart, conscientious, responsible student.  He enjoyed learning, and loved reading about the Civil War and Vietnam War eras.  He had read so much about these wars, that by the time he was in eighth grade, he knew more about those wars than his history teacher.  He was a good student and graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2004, with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science.  He wanted to attend Law School, and perhaps have a career in politics.

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