Eugene J. Tappan

Gene J. Tappan of 121 Duke Center Road, passed away Friday, Feb. 4, 2011 at home, following a battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Tappan was born on Jan. 15, 1939 in Buffalo and was a James and Lillian Dazig Tappen. On Dec. 23, 1978 in St. Francis of Cana berry in Lebanon, Tenn. he married his wife Penelope L. "Penny" Czaja, who survives. Gene was a graduate of Bergard High School in Buffalo. He served in the U.S. Army from Jan. 27, 1956 to Jan. 26, 1959. Following his service he worked as transmission mechanic for a number of years. Gene then earned his private pilots license and then became a flight instructor flying out of McKinley Airport and the Akron Municipal Airport in Akron Ohio. He and his wife Penny moved to Tennessee where he worked at various jobs with his father. Also while in Tennessee he worked for Nisan Auto for a number of years. Gene and his wife traveled the country in there RV for about ten years. During that time he worked at different jobs along the way. In 2003 he retired and moved to Knapp Creek. Gene enjoyed riding his bicycle right up through Oct. for 2010. He also was an avid reader. Gene was a member of St. Mary of the Angels Church. Surviving Mr. Tappan besides his wife of 32 years are two sons, Mike (Sheila) Tappan of Saudi Arabia, and Robert "Bob" Tappan of Ontario, Canada; three daughters, Joy (Jim) Kelly of Franklin, NC, Vicky (Steve Peddle) Tappan of Ontario, Canada, and Cindy Jones of Niagara Falls, Canada; seven grandchildren; and two great granddaughters. Friends will be received on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011 at St. Mary of the Angels Church from 9:00 am to 10:00 am at which time a Mass of Christian Burial will be held. The Rev. Gregory J. Dobson, Pastor, will celebrate. Burial will be in Mt. View Cemetery, Veterans Field of Honor with full military honors accorded by the Allegany American Legion Charles Herbal Post 892 ritual team. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Mary of the Angels Church 202 South Union Street, Olean, New York 14760. Arrangements are under the direction of the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. #646 E. State Street, Olean.