January 24, 2012

HARRISVILLE, N.Y.   —  Eugene E. Solon Sr., 81, of 550 E. Dover Road, Princeton, Illinois, and formerly of Degrasse, passed away peacefully Sunday, Jan. 22, surrounded by his children.  

He was born Feb. 4, 1930, in Pitcairn, a son of Walter Patrick and Beatrice Mae LayBoult Solon.

He married Mary Jane Tyler on July 22, 1951, at the Harrisville Baptist Church.

Eugene attended school through the 6^th grade and then later received his high school diploma in 1976 from Canton Central High School.  

Eugene worked for Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation in Star Lake, New York and later transferred to LTV Steel Corporation in Hennepin, Illinois where he retired in 1988 after 35+ years of service. He then went on to fulfill his lifelong dream when he and his wife began Solon’s Concessions, which he operated until his death. 

Eugene loved the food cart business and was well known in central Illinois as the “Elephant Ear Man”. 

He also enjoyed playing poker, especially Texas Hold ‘Em, with his family and friends, hunting, fishing, and traveling back to New York in his motor home each spring and fall.

Surviving are his children, Eugene Jr. and Diane, Fort Worth, Texas, Deborah and Kenneth Reed, Antwerp, Randy and Kathleen, Vernon, and Susan Solon, St. Joseph, Mich.; nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; a special friend and caregiver Mike Watson, and his loyal dog Clyde.

Along with his loving wife, Mary, of 60 years, he was predeceased by his parents, brothers Gerald, Martin, Walter, William, Forrest, Lewis, Maurice, Lawrence and George; his sisters Mildred Goodale, Rita Perrault, Margaret Spicer, Nettie Solon, Louise Stacey and Hazel Solon, and his daughter-in-law Mary Lou Solon.

A graveside service will be held 11:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 27, in Pitcairn Cemetery with Father Robert Decker officiating. A calling hour will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the Adirondack Funeral Home, Harrisville. 

Messages of sympathy may be left at www.adirondackfh.com.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Martin Faber and the staff at Perry Memorial Hospital for their kindness and compassion. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Perry Memorial Hospital, 530 Park Avenue East, Princeton, Illinois  61356.

Information provided by Adirondack Funeral Home and Newzjunky, Watertown, N.Y.