Eugene Mario William Principe, our dear Uncle Gene, passed from this life on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at the age of 93. He was born April 25, 1931 in the Bronx, New York to Frank and Rosina Principe. He was the youngest of four children, one brother, a Catholic Priest and two sisters, Mary and Yolanda. He loved his family and thoroughly enjoyed spending holidays and family occasions with his nieces, Liz, Alice and Sandy, his nephew Jimmy and his many grand nieces and nephews.  We can clearly remember how Uncle Gene would mesmerize all of us with stories of his life experiences and his view of New York sport teams. 

His family were devoted, practicing Catholics and Gene through the guidance of his brother, Reverend Francis Principe, searched for a way to be of service to others in need. Growing up he attended Cardinal Hayes High School where he did well academically and played football, a sport which he loved and where he eventually coached many young athletes. He received a bachelor’s degree in Business from Fordham University and later took over the family business which included Cocktail Lounges in Harlem. In addition to his work, Gene began running and for many years ran 90 miles a week and also completed many Marathons in the tri-state area.

After giving his business to his employees, Gene began a new chapter of his life, volunteering with the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity in a Food Kitchen, often doing Night duty in a Men’s Shelter and an AIDS House, when health professionals still didn’t understand the seriousness of the HIV Virus. As the years went on Gene began faithfully volunteering full time helping the Sisters with starting new Houses including Food Kitchens and Shelters all over the country and the world. He taught many Sisters how to drive, how to cook, drove them to appointments and helped with repairs to MOC Shelters throughout the world. 

He encouraged many of his family and friends to Volunteer and instructed all of us how best to serve, cut vegetables and cook, make coffee light and sweet and how best to clean after the meal was served.

So, for over 47 years, Gene was known and loved by many for his selfless service, generosity, kindness and humility. Gene was especially loved by the guests that would come for a hot meal each day. They knew that they would receive a hot meal served with respect and dignity from the Sisters and from Gene. 

And Gene, like the Sisters and other Volunteers didn’t care why or from where the guests came.  They were children of God, in need of help and kindness. That is all that Uncle Gene cared about. Mother Teresa and her life and “Simple Path” inspired Gene from the very beginning to find a way to translate his deep faith into action in the world. Like St. Mother Teresa and her Sisters, Gene served our Lord in the distressing disguise of the Poorest of the Poor. 

Each day, before the meal was served one of the Sisters or volunteers would read from the Bible and Gene would give a practical application to the guests always emphasizing that Jesus loves each one of them no matter what they have done in their lives and that He is all forgiving and all merciful. It was a beautiful way to begin the meal that for many was their only meal of the day.

Gene was volunteering six days a week before his fall and we all believe that the Lord knew that if Uncle Gene could not serve the Sisters and the Poor then he would be ready for Heaven. So today with humble hearts we say, Thank you, dear Uncle Gene for your guidance, instruction and deep, abiding faith. You have touched and saved many souls. 

Reposing Wednesday, July 10, at 3:00 - 7:00 pm at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx, NY. Funeral Mass on Saturday, July 11 at 9:45am at St. Margaret of Cortona Catholic Church Bronx, NY.  Entombment will follow at St. Raymond Cemetery, Bronx, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Eugene’s honor to the Missionaries of Charity: Queen of Peace Home, 406 West 127th Street, New York, New York 10029