Eugene Trase

Eugene H. Trase, 87, of East Longmeadow, beloved husband of Margaret “Peggy” (Kirby) Trase, passed away on Friday, February 16, 2018. Born in Springfield, MA on February 7, 1931, he was the son of the late Antonio and Anna (Mashatare) Trase. He grew up in Springfield, graduating from Cathedral High School in 1949. Gene was an accomplished athlete in High School. He played football and had a State Championship in baseball, but hockey was the main passion of his sports career. After High School, he played semi-pro for the Springfield Flyers and remained a lifelong friend and teammate of much of that team, many of whom played in the first Snoopy Seniors World Hockey Tournament in California, winning the tourney in their age group. Gene and Peggy owned and operated the Trase’s Motel started by his father and then owned and operated the Pine Point Café in Springfield for many years. Both worked tirelessly to provide a prosperous, stable and loving environment for their 3 sons, rebuilding the café with the help of friends and patrons after it was destroyed by fire. Before retirement, Gene worked for 10 years for the State of Massachusetts in the Maintenance Division. He was a member of the Country Club of Wilbraham for over 50 years as well as the Elks Lodge #61 in Springfield.
Besides his devoted wife of 65 years Peggy, Gene leaves 2 sons, Kirby Trase and his wife Lisa of Suffield, CT, and Anthony Trase and his wife Elizabeth of Chestnut Hill; daughter-in-law, JoAnne Trase; 8 grandchildren, Samantha, Corey, Ian, James, Olivia, Peter, Griffin, and Michael; sister-in-law, Betty Jane Griffin, nephews James Griffin, Steven Gardner and his wife Carol, and nieces Ann Marie, Cathy, and Nancy Gardner, 3 step-grandchildren, Dominic, Anthony and Frankie and Joy Siano. Eugene was predeceased by his son James Trase in October of 2017; and his sister Eva Siano.
The family thanks the wonderful staff at Baystate Medical Center for their compassionate care of Gene.
There will be no calling hours. There will be a Liturgy of Christian Burial on Saturday, February 24th, at 10 AM DIRECTLY at St. Michael’s Parish, 128 Maple St., East Longmeadow. Burial will be private at a later date. Forastiere Smith Funeral Home has care of arrangements. www.forastiere.com.

 Service Information