Eugene John Tully

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Eugene J. Tully of Pompton Plains.

Eugene passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 while receiving the loving care of his family.

Eugene was born in New York City and was the middle child of three children to John and Sarah Tully.  Those who were closest to Eugene came to know him affectionately as Gene.  Gene’s family lived in New York City for a time and as a young boy they moved to Fair Lawn, NJ where he spent his formative years.  Gene attended Fair Lawn High School where he started dating his high school sweetheart Marilyn Collins.  Although Marilyn and Gene attended different high schools, Marilyn at Eastside High School in Paterson and Gene in Fair Lawn, as fate would have it, they fell in in love and were married on October 5, 1957 just two years after graduating with the class of 1955. 

Gene was gifted with the entrepreneurial spirit as a young man and opened an Esso gas station in Wayne, NJ when he was only in his early twenties.  He owned and operated the Esso station for about two years when he decided to change careers and accepted and internship with his father-in-law as an optician.  After earning his certification as an optician, Gene again started his own business in 1960, EJ Optician located in the Preakness Shopping Center in Wayne, NJ.  Gene also owned an operated Tri Lite Optics, a company that manufactured prescription eyeglass lenses.  Gene owned and operated both businesses concurrently until 1995.  After Gene closed his Tri Lite Optics business he continued to own and operate his EJ Tully Optician until 2002 when he retired.  Gene’s career as an optician and local business owner spanned more than thirty years. 

Shortly after getting married, Marilyn and Gene settled in Elmwood Park, NJ.  While residing in Elmwood Park, they welcomed into their lives, their first four children Barbara, John, Karen, and Linda.  Tragedy struck Gene and Marilyn’s lives when their daughter Karen passed away suddenly and unexpectedly when she was just a toddler.  The family persevered then moved to Wayne where they were blessed with their fifth child, Susan.  Gene and Marilyn remained in Wayne for many years to come and raised their family there. While living and working in Wayne, Gene was closely involved with the Wayne’s Lions Club and their Blind box, donating and recycling eyeglasses. 

Gene was a loyal New York Yankees fan and a long-time season ticket holder.  He was a loyal fan of the New York Giants as well.  One of Gene’s favorite places to be was in the casino playing Black Jack and the slot machines. He also enjoyed purchasing and playing his daily lottery tickets.  Aside from all of Gene’s interests, talents and hobbies, his greatest passion was for his family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Gene than spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  Gene and Marilyn cherished forty-two years of loving and loyal marriage until Marilyn’s passing in 1999. Gene touched the lives of all those around him and will be sincerely missed by his family and friends.

Gene will forever be remembered as a devoted husband, and a loving and cherished father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

Gene is survived by his four children; his daughter Linda Albolino of Florida, his son John Tully and his wife Rosalie of Vernon, NJ, his daughter Barbara Warhurst and her husband Gregg of Wayne, NJ, and his daughter Susan Pedicone and her husband Bob of Pompton Plains, NJ, two sisters Lorraine Gontzes of Florida, and Dolores Infante and her husband Lenny of Florida, seven grandchildren; Karen Ziegler of Florida, Christina Sellitti and her husband Anthony of Ogdensburg, NJ, John Tully and his wife Brigitte of Little Falls, NJ, Ashley Warhurst of Wayne, NJ, Brooke Warhurst and her fiancé Michael Sochaski of Wayne, NJ, Joey Pedicone of Pompton Plains, NJ, and Jake Pedicone of Pompton Plains, NJ, and two great grandchildren Gianna and Anthony.  He was predeceased by his wife Marilyn Tully, and his daughter Karen Tully.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Gene’s name may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org