Eugene A. "Gene" Reiter Jr.

Eugene “Gene” A. Reiter, 76 died Thursday November 2^nd from complications related to bladder cancer.

He leaves a brother, John P. Reiter; a sister-in-law, Cara Bobchek; nephews JB Reiter and Charles J. Reiter; a grand-nephew, Aiden Reiter.

He was preceded in death by his life partner, John Saltzman; his parents, Eugene A. Reiter Sr. and Gina Reiter; and brother Charles J. Reiter.

Born Floral Park, NY May 10, 1947. He lived in New York until his junior year in high school and relocated to McLean, VA when his father took a new job in that area. He graduated from Bishop Dennis J. O’Connell in 1965 and received the first college degree in his family with a B.A. from Richmond Professional Institute (now known as Virginia Commonwealth University) in 1970.

After graduation, he worked as a buyer in Men’s Clothing for Lansburgh’s Department Store in Tysons Corner, VA. Then after a move to Virginia Beach, he was a regional sales representative for Norelco Shavers.

He found a religious vocation at the age of 27 and joined the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement as a novice in 1975. He spent one year in Medford, MA at the Order’s Novitiate and later studied theology at Catholic University in Washington, DC. After four years of study and much personal reflection, he left the Friars and moved to Ft. Myers, FL with his life partner, John Saltzman.

Gene and John relocated to New England in 1981 and eventually bought a home in Melrose, MA that they shared with their beloved Springer Spaniels, Ollie and Lady. Gene worked as a store manager and jeweler for Service Merchandise for many years before starting his own antique jewelry business, which was his passion from early adulthood to the end of his life.

Gene was a member of the Saint Vincent DePaul Society of St. Patrick’s Church in Stoneham, MA for 15 years and loved his work helping other people.

He was a kind, thoughtful and gentle soul and had many friends in the Greater Boston area and around the World.

A Funeral Mass Celebrating Gene’s Eternal Life will be held on Saturday, November 18^th at 10am in Saint Patrick Church, 71 Central Street, Stoneham.  Family and friends are cordially invited to gather and share memories with Gene’s Family on Friday, November 17^th from 4-7pm in the Barile Family Funeral Home, 482 Main Street, STONEHAM.  Parking attendants and elevator are available.  Interment Lindenwood Cemetery, Stoneham.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

For more information, www.facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome