Obituary of Eugene A. Rigotti

June 25, 1932 – November 3, 2020

Eugene Rigotti. Age 88 of Woodhaven.

Eugene A. Rigotti was born on June 25th, 1932 in Ironwood, Michigan to Adolph J. and Dorothy M. Rigotti.  He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Sylvia, and three children:  Mark Rigotti, a CPA in Taylor, married to Sarah Doig;  USAF Col (ret) Marie Rigotti, married to Bobby Vaughan and living in Burke, Virginia;  and Matthew Rigotti, an automotive engineer, married to Dr. Patty Kaufman and living in Grosse Point.  There are 10 grandchildren:  Nicholas, Timothy, Jamie, Joseph, Joshua, Alexa, and Amanda Rigotti, and Steven, Christina, and Robert (Trey) Vaughan.

Gene was a member and lector of St. Alfred Parish for over 40 years before joining Our Lady of the Woods Parish in Woodhaven in 1998. 

Gene attended Parochial schools in Ironwood, Michigan and graduated from St. Ambrose High School in 1950.  In 1954, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Northern Michigan University in Marquette.  Gene volunteered (to avoid the draft) and served two years in the U.S. Army, mostly at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines.  He graduated with a Master of Arts from the University of Michigan in 1957.  Gene married Sylvia M. Martin at St. Lawrence Church in Utica, Michigan on August 3rd, 1957.  He taught mathematics at Romeo High School in the fall of 1957 then at Lowrey High School in Dearborn from 1958 to 1963.  Gene was a counselor at Lowrey High School from 1963 to 1968 and then at Henry Ford Community College from 1968 to 1991.  He was Secretary of the Henry Ford Community College Federation of Teachers Union from 1970 to 1990, where he helped to negotiate the teachers’ contracts.  Gene retired from Henry Ford Community College in 1991.

Gene joined the Knights of Columbus in 1957 in Utica, MI and was a member of All Saints Council.  They wintered in various locations in Florida from 1991 to 1995 and then settled into wintering in Tucson, AZ from 1996 to 2018.

Gene was an avid Tiger fan and thoroughly enjoyed golf and bowling, having several 700 series and a 289 high game.  Gene and Sylvia loved traveling and have enjoyed visiting 57 different countries.  They introduced the family to camping by wintering in Florida every Christmas and exploring many National Parks out west during the country’s bicentennial in 1976.  They were both active in the Tucson, Arizona and Woodhaven Senior Clubs.  Gene enjoyed competing in the Senior Olympics in many events, including:  bocce ball, lawn darts, horseshoes, bridge, euchre, and pinochle.

Gene enjoyed life.  He loved trying all kinds of ethnic foods, socializing with people, and exploring this amazing world.  Most importantly, he loved his family.  Gene took great pride in his 3 kids and their families and enjoyed hearing about their many accomplishments. 

Cremation will take place at The On-Site Crematory located within the Molnar Funeral Homes - Brownstown Chapel.