"I still remember the first day of one of his classes he passed out a round wooden piece about the size of a quarter. We all asked what it was. He said it was a ROUND TUIT. We all asked him what a round tuit was. He told us that when we found ourselves procrastinating an assignment for when we would get around to it, we now had a ROUND TUIT, and therefore should do it. That was 38 years ago. You can see what an imprint this man made on my life."
In loving memory of
Eugene Alexander Brickach
October 1, 1936 - December 31, 2020
Eugene Alexander Brickach, age 84, of Middletown, RI, passed away on Thursday, December 31, at Westerly Hospital. He was the devoted husband of Mary Jane (Lepley) Brickach for 56 years.
Eugene (Gene) was born in Pawtucket, RI to Alexander Brickach and Dominika (Wasilewicz) Brickach on October 1, 1936.
He graduated as a top honors student from Pawtucket West High School in 1954 and attended Brown University on scholarship to study Engineering. After freshman year he decided that field was not for him and left to join the U.S. Navy. After Basic Training and Communications School, he was assigned as a radioman to the captain's crew of Naval Patrol Squadron 24 in P2V Neptune aircraft, tracking Russian submarines in the North Atlantic, the North Sea and over the North Pole. He finished his naval career in four years rising to Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class while attached to an air base in Malta. Gene's Navy experiences led to a lifelong love of travel in the British Isles, Ireland, and throughout Europe.
Gene enrolled at Rhode Island College in 1959, where he majored in English Education and met his future wife, Mary Jane Lepley. They were married on August 8, 1964, at St. Lucy's Church in Middletown, RI. After Gene received his master's degree in 1965 from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, he and Mary Jane returned to their beloved Rhode Island and Gene began teaching at Roger Williams Junior College. He became a tenured faculty member and taught for 34 years, retiring from Roger Williams University in 1999. Although Gene loved teaching his college-age students during the day, he also enjoyed teaching hundreds of adults in summer school and evening classes over the years, many of whom were police officers studying for their bachelor's degrees.
Gene was an avid Red Sox fan and longtime collector of antique toy cars, specializing in land speed record cars as a member of England's Speed Record Club. Throughout the years he was a subscriber to Trinity Square Repertory Company and the Rhode Island Philharmonic, as well as a member of the Rhode Island College Alumni Association, National Education Association, and Edgewood Waterfront Preservation Association.
In retirement, the Brickachs moved to Virginia to be closer to their grandchildren. Since Gene loved Block Island and had been vacationing there with family since 1969, he made sure to continue that tradition with his grandchildren. They loved it as well.
Eugene is survived by his loving wife Mary Jane Brickach of Middletown, his son William A. Brickach (Cheryl) of Bristol, his daughter Larissa C. Brickach of West Warwick, and granddaughters Caroline and Olivia. He also leaves sisters-in-law Barbara Lepley Roy (Vance) of Newport and Sachseln, Switzerland, Carol Jordan Lepley of Middletown, and 15 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his siblings William A. Brickach of North Kingstown, Alice Brickach and Helen Brickach Cobb of Pawtucket, as well as brothers-in-law Stephen Lepley, George Hamacher, and Dr. Robert Crowell, and sister-in-law Anna Mae (Nan) Hamacher.
Funeral services will be private. Burial with military honors will be at St. Columba Catholic Cemetery in Middletown.
The family extends their gratitude to the compassionate staffs of Blenheim Harbor Care, Westerly Hospital, and Hope Health Hospice and Palliative Care.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Rhode Island College Foundation, 600 Mount Pleasant Ave, Providence, RI 02908.
Tributes
"I am so heartbroken to find out Mr. Brickach has died. I was a student of his at RWC back in the mid 1980s. HE was that one thing that kept me going. He made all his classes interesting with his unique sense of humor. I kept in touch with him for a few years after I graduated in 1988. I wish the communication had continued. I would like his family to know that he was, and will forever be, special to me. I will go to sleep tonight with tears in my eyes knowing that I never got to say goodbye. ?"
"Gene was the sophisticated older guy amongst us teenagers in the first year of the class of 63 at RIC. Over the next four years we came to know him as warm and kind and witty. Seems just like him to choose to no longer live a less than full life."
"Uncle Gene; Sir, you were the best uncle one could hope to have in a family. You were always the most calm amongst the Hamacher?s heated (at times) poker games. When you spoke about something or told an anecdote you were like E F Hutton, everyone listened. I?m sorry we could not attend your funeral. I?m sure the send off would have been epic. You will be missed! God?s Speed! Please say hello to Ma and Dad as I?m sure you are in Heaven with them. "
"Uncle Gene A twinkle in your eye A sweet smile across your face Aroma of cherry tobacco From your pipe as it escaped Skating on a frozen pond As Jack Frost bit our noses Then sipping hot chocolate near a fire Warming cheeks as red as roses Visiting vendors tables At the Brimfield Antiques Market Looking for that choice toy car or truck You wished to pocket Presiding over tasty family holiday dinners That would inevitably extend To rowdy all night poker games At which you\'d sometimes have to declare the winners Meandering over back roads Across our smallest state Visiting Newport and Block Island Before the Summer Season abates These are but a few of the memories I have of you Here\'s hoping you\'re sailing your ship Over waters peaceful and blue Love, Your niece, Sue "
"Met Gene when he and Mary Jane were in Virginia. I played golf with MJ and hence met Gene who was also a talented artist. He not only painted in his retirement but also did wood carvings that were very intricate. I am so sorry MJ and family for your sadness and grief at Gene\'s passing. Lucinda Karalow"
"My Uncle Gene took me to Fenway Park vs. Minnesota Twins in \'67 and explained the the nuances of the game. He showed many of us how to win at myriad card games, chess, and debates. The image of his teeth clenching his pipe on one side while wise cracking out of the other side will always stay with us. His annual January trips to England for the International conference of Matchbox enthusiasts was always a highlight for him. Will never forget his extensive collection arranged in glass cases that took up most of a room. In the dictionary you\'ll find his picture at the Renaissance Man definition as he had a great breadth of knowledge on so many things. His love for his family and others shown through the twinkle in his eyes and endearing smile. He shared his strong and weak perspectives of subject matter in every debate. And he\'ll be remembered as being such a gentle Gentleman. A lifelong memory is the explanation of a good marriage he shares with MJ. being the magic of the breakfast table! May loving memories of Uncle Gene together with Mary Jane, Bill and Larissa stay with us all. And let the love and blessings of our Lord grant him eternal rest and give us all peace as we grieve our loss. David Hamacher "
"My memory of Gene is all of the fun we had on our little group getaways. Always ready with a hearty laugh. My heart goes out to you, MJ. Ann Marie Shaw January 11, 2021"
"Uncle Gene was an eloquent and multi-faceted man. He poured his passion into every endeavor, and, for this nephew, he introduced me to Seals and Crofts, with, at the time, his state of the art stereo system. Summer Breeze became the number hit in 1972. As a young child, I was also in awe with his matchbox collections and remember seeing the larger models that no one else seem to have. A few years later, I was introduced to Billy Joel's the Stranger Alblum on the same stereo system. Curently, one of my sons has learned the Piano Man (1973) and has been playing the song everyday. Since Uncle Gene's death, and, henceforth, I will daily think of Uncle Gene, as I continue to listen to the classic played by Andrew, live and "in color", just like listening to Uncle Gene's stories, as if you were there to personally witness, what he had, and being able to share in his adventures through his stories. Grant Uncle Gene Eternal Rest Oh Lord and may Your perpetual light shine upon Him. Peace to all of the family. Paul"
"So sorry to hear that Gene passed away. Condolances to you, Mary Jane, and your family. Fond memories of our days at RIC."
"Mary Jane, I am very sorry for your loss and will remember Gene in my prayers. My condolences to you and your family at this sad time. Frank Mattiucci"
"My heart is so heavy with the loss of my Uncle Gene....my Uncle was a genuine gentleman. He would mesmerize you with his stories. You were spell-bounded by his wisdom of many worldly subjects. My love of jazz was formed by the many Sunday?s spent at my Uncles home on many occasions over the years! His kindness surpasses anyone you will ever meet! His love of his wife, children and grandchildren was known by all who knew Gene. His eyes twinkled every time he mentioned their names...... Now we will look upward to see the twinkle of the bright light, of the star that bears he?s name! Sweet dreams Uncle Gene....you will be missed more than anyone could imagine ??????......forever in my heart ? "
"ON BEHALF OF THE MUSEUM OF NEWPORT IRISH HISTORY, CONDOLENCES TO ALL THE BRICKACH FAMILY ON THE DEATH OF EUGENE.MAY GOD HOLD HIM AND ALL OF YOU IN THE HALLOW OF HIS HAND."
""The best portion of a good man's life:his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love." Tintern Abbey, William Wordsworth My dear brother-in-law Gene did so many kind little things for me throughout the years and never asked for anything in return. Yes, I can't remember all of his quiet acts of kindness but I can remember many of them. He was always there for me when I needed him. I hope he knew how much I loved him and appreciated him for his integrity, his kindness to all of his relatives and his unflinching, devoted love of my sister MJ. What great members we shared! May you rest in peace Geno. Nostrovia! Barbs. "
"Although I've been a friend of both Gene and MJ for many years, I did not know the extent of his many interests. From the point of view of friendship, I have known Gene to be a kind, good natured man who enjoyed life and laughter. I will miss him very much. Roberta Zuchowski"
"Gene was one of the bright spots in the Providence Campus back in the early 70s. Though most of us were pursuing our education in engineering and business he engaged us in his "English" classes; stimulating thought through literature and an ordinary orange. RIP Gene Brichach Michael Penn, Warwick "
"I attended Roger Williams in 1967 then located in the YMCA building in Providence. One of my first and most memorable courses was in American Literature with focus upon the Lost Generation. Under the guidance of Dr. Brickach I developed a life long passion for the literature of that era. Ironically, this past weekend I began reading Main Street by Sinclair Lewis. The last time I read this book was for an assignment in his class .I am sorry for your loss. Hank Coleman , Rehoboth MA."
"How do you remember an UNCLE with as many a varied interest in the following: Maroon Peugot station wagons, vintage European advertising lithographs of Motorcycle Racing, Sir Walter Raleigh Brand Tobacco, Slide Shows of Far Flung places on white sheets after Thanksgiving Diner, Blue Arrows, Pink Flamingos, Big Leather Chairs, English Coronation China, Landscaping, Dachas, Decks with views of the Bay, a Rumpus room for room for twenty five; for the Joe Bell Door Santa Claus Door Decoration annual raffle; late nights and early mornings in pickled oak kitchens, and of course a short course in High Low Jack with Aces swinging and rolling your own low card. These items and events along with our chats in Virginia on yet another deck about family events past and present will remain forever with me. Sorry about changing the start of Baseball season from April to Late May. ?These were the best of times ?.? "
"I am so sorry about Mr. Brickach's (to me) passing. I can certainly say that his curiosity and love of learning was not lost on anyone with whom he came in contact. I know my mind and spirit was enriched every time I was in his presence. And, I see that gift of learning and exploring life live on in those closest to him. I'm keeping each of you in my thoughts and prayers and sending hugs and comfort."
"What a beautiful and loving obituary. A fascinating man who loved his family, for sure. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you!"