Eugene K. Steele

DALTON -- Eugene K. Steele, 81, of 231 Park Ave., co-founder of Berkshire Custom Coating Inc., died Friday at home.

Born in Harvard, Ill., on May 31, 1924, son of Blair M. Steele Sr. and Anne O'Mara Steele, he was a 1943 graduate of Pittsfield High School and attended the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. He moved to Berkshire County in 1937.

A World War II veteran of the Army Air Corps, he served in the Asiatic-Pacific theater with the 5th Wing, 38th Bomber Group, as a waist gunner and radioman from 1943 to 1946. He also served with the 9243rd Air Reserve Squadron as a master sergeant until 1956.

Mr. Steele and three partners founded Berkshire Custom Coating Inc. in 1973. He retired in 1987, selling his share to the remaining partner, Charles C. Ploss. Before that, he was employed by GE in the laboratory of the power transformer division and was awarded eight patents.

He was a member of First Congregational Church and of Wahconah Country Club.

He and his wife, the former Marjorie Chapman Price, were married June 20, 1980.

Besides his wife, he leaves a son, Gregory Knox Steele Sr. of Great Barrington; a daughter, Marlene K. Doyle of Pittsfield; two stepsons, Douglas E. Price of New York City and Jeffrey W. Price of Pittsfield; two brothers, Blair M. Steele Jr. of Schenectady, N.Y., and William C. Steele of Hobe Sound, Fla.; six grandchildren, and a great-grandchild.

FUNERAL NOTICE -- The funeral for Eugene K. "Gene" Steele, who died Friday, Nov. 25, 2005, will be conducted Wednesday at 11 at First Congregational Church of Dalton by the Rev. Robert R. Kyte, pastor. Burial will follow in Ashuelot Cemetery. Calling hours will be tomorrow from 4 to 7 at BARTLETT-WELLINGTON FUNERAL HOME. He also leaves his grandchildren, Trevor and Tarah Doyle, Gregory K. Steele Jr., Bradley Steele, and Brandon and Tanner Price, and his great-granddaughter, Kayla Doyle. A brother, Charles P. Steele, died in 2000. Memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association in care of the funeral home, 525 Main St., Dalton, MA 01226.