Eugene John Forneris, age 80 of Collinsville, IL, born January 16, 1942 in East St. Louis, IL, passed away peacefully on Thursday December 8,2022 surrounded by his children and a granddaughter.

Gene attended St. Adalbert grade school, graduated Assumption High School in 1959 and received his degree in Mechanical Engineering from Washington University in 1970.  He honorably served in the United States Air Force.  In his early years, he taught drafting at Belleville Area College and won "Young Engineer of the Year" award. He was a member of the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers and Gateway Center Board Member of Collinsville, IL. During these years, he always took his family on fun adventurous vacations in the 1976 station wagon, creating some amazing memories.

He was an accomplished engineer, working at Monsanto for over 30 years with his name attached to two patents. Retiring from Monsanto in 1999, he was able to enjoy a long retirement doing his favorite things.

He enjoyed gardening, his flowers, building all kinds of things, fixing everything, cutting grass on his tractor, making runs to Home Depot, traveling, making his favorite Italian dish Bagnacauda, and being outside with his favorite fur friend, Rocky, who hung with him all day. Basically he was constantly on the go doing something. Most of all he loved spending time with his four children and four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony Bartholomew and Mary Catherine (nee Dziadoszczyk) Forneris.

Surviving are his four children: Diane (Paul) Combs of New Douglas, IL, Eileen (Matthew) McKeon of St. Charles, MO, Kristina Forneris of Collinsville, IL and Geno ( Michelle) Forneris of Collinsville, IL; four grandchildren: Kelly (Justin) Flynn-Mushill, Bailey (Justis Bartoni) Forneris, Luke McKeon and Katie Jane McKeon; a brother, Anthony (Rita) Forneris of Collinsville; and former wife, Kathleen (nee Golomski) Forneris, many nephews and cousins, and his dog Rocky.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, December 12, 2022 at Barry Wilson Funeral Home in Maryville and 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 207 Vandalia, Collinsville, IL.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 with Father John Beveridge, Celebrant. Burial with military honors will be in SS Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery, Collinsville, IL.

In lieu of flowers, it would mean the world to Gene to donate in his memory to Lighthouse for the Blind St. Louis in honor of grandson, Luke McKeon. Donations will be received at the visitation or can be mailed to Barry Wilson Funeral Home, 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL, 62062.