Eugene Buzzi

Gene Buzzi
January 8, 1938 - September 12, 2014

Eugene Anthony Buzzi, 76, of Charlotte, NC, passed away Friday, Sept. 12, 2014 surrounded by his loving family. Gene was born January 8, 1938 in Pittsburgh, PA, son of the late Lauretta Boyle and Victor John Buzzi.

In 2006, after living in Tallahassee, FL for 36 years, and retirement, Gene, and his wife Judy, moved to Charlotte to be near their son, daughter and three granddaughters.

Gene was raised in Monongahela, PA and after High School graduation he served four years in The United States Air Force. Upon separation in 1959, he worked for The Lockheed Missiles & Space Division on the submarine-launched Polaris Missile System for six years. He then worked for North American Rockwell on The Apollo Spacecraft Program. He was assistant Spacecraft Chief on Apollo 12, the second lunar landing. During the six years from 1959-1965, he studied at The Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. Subsequently, he studied at Florida State University (FSU) and received a Master’s Degree in Business Management.

After moving to Tallahassee, FL in 1970, he worked for The State of Florida as The Supervisor of Public Safety Communications. He later founded the communications engineering company, OMNICOM, INC., which was worldwide in scope. Eighteen years later, he and his business partner retired and sold OMNICOM to a major competitor, RCC, Inc.

He was a Fellow in The Radio Club of America, a Senior Life Member of The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and a Director in The Florida Institute of Technology Alumni Affairs Association.

Gene is survived by his wife of 50 years, Judith Harkins Buzzi, son Michael Warner Buzzi, daughter Jennifer Buzzi Shreero, granddaughters Mattison, Grayson, and Emerson Shreero, all of Charlotte, NC,   sister Eleanor Sterner (Ken) of Gilford, NH, nieces Bridget Ratchford Hatfield, Gastonia, NC and Megan Sterner Lott (Bryan), Durango, CO, nephews Victor Ratchford (Emily), Jacksonville, FL, Jason Sterner (Kristine), Campton, NH, and much loved extended family.

He was loved by many, but deeply by his family. We will miss his loving spirit, his smile and his laughter, and great sense of humor, and we will always remember his endless kindness and generosity to others.

A reception in his memory is being held at the Ballantyne Country Club, Charlotte, NC, on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014 from 3:00-5:00PM.

A Celebration of Gene’s life will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Tallahassee, FL, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014 at 3:00 PM. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in his name be made to the Charlotte, NC, Levine Cancer Institute, the Levine Children’s Hospital, or the Charlotte American Heart Association.