Eugene E. Scarpato, age 89, of Waitsfield, Vermont, (formerly of Lynbrook, NY) passed away on July 21, 2020, after a long illness. Gene was born in Queens, New York, on June 30, 1931, the third son of John and Josephine Scarpato. He graduated from LaSalle Academy in New York City and then attended St. John’s University where he majored in accounting. He joined the Marines in October of 1953 and became a first lieutenant during the Korean War. After the Marines, he joined the family printing business, My-Jo Printing, which was affectionately named for his mother. Gene met his wife, Virginia, of 64 years at a family gathering. He married the love of his life on May 19, 1956. They have five children: Linda (Bill) Place, Sue (Ed) Austin, Eugene, Donald (Kathy), and Denise (Michael) Zervoudis and 10 grandchildren: Brian, Cecile (Joe), William, Gabrielle (Kyle), Dylan (Tatum), Matthew, Brandon, Kristina, Anthony and Nicholas.
Gene volunteered in the Lynbrook community. His passion for youth led him to get involved in many ways. He was the athletic director of the Our Lady of Peace (OLP) sports program where he coached basketball, baseball and track. He created a youth organization at OLP where teens attended dances and other functions. As a 14-year member of the Lynbrook Recreation Commission, Gene organized family fun day, 5k races, tennis round robin and gymnastics. He also gave time to the Lynbrook Link/Teen Counseling program. After 28 years of dedication to his community, he served as a trustee on the Lynbrook Village Board and was a member of the board of zoning appeals. He served as mayor for 12 years. Many of his accomplishments during his tenure were the revitalization of downtown Lynbrook, the inclusion of the walkway, the 9/11 Memorial, the soccer field on Ocean Avenue and supported current Mayor Alan Beach on his quest to implement a roller hockey rink and league. Along with the enhancement of Greis Park, Gene was instrumental in building an official Little League baseball field. One of his biggest visions was the development of the Lynbrook community pool, which was dedicated to Gene in November 2019. Gene, in the 12 years in the mayor’s office, made Lynbrook a desirable place to live and work. He wanted Lynbrook to be a place where families gathered with their community and made lasting friendships.
Gene and Virginia moved to Waitsfield in the fall of 2008. Together, their love for each other and the love of their family followed them here. It didn’t take long for Gene to become active in his new community. Gene joined the Rotary and chaired the You Bet Your Ice and the Restaurant Raffle fundraising programs. He also served on the board of the Mad River Health Center, read to young students for the Everybody Wins program and was on the parish finance counsel for Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church.
For those wishing to donate in Gene’s memory, please consider the Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre, VT 05641 (www.cvhhh.org). Arrangements are in the care of Perkins-Parker Funeral Home in Waterbury, VT. To send online condolences visit www.perkinsparker.com or the funeral home Facebook page.
