Gene Brosovich

Gene Brosovich, 67, of Billings, passed away on Feb. 26, 2012, at Billings Clinic.

Gene was born in Santa Monica, Calif., on Nov. 4, 1944. He was the son of Regina Roncevich and Joseph Brosovich. His parents left California and returned to Butte when Gene was 2, and he began a life filled with sports and fun with friends he maintained until the very end of his life. He attended St. Sacred Heart Elementary School and went on to Butte Central High School. Although he excelled in all sports, football was always his first love.

He attended college at Eastern Montana College from 1962 to 1966 on a football scholarship, and won numerous all-conference and all-state awards. He never lost his love of football, always attending games here in Billings, especially high school games, and went on to the University of Montana to become a member of their advisory board for football.

After college, Gene went to California and worked for the FMC Corporation for a time and was drafted in 1967, did a tour in Vietnam and was honorably discharged in 1969.

He returned to Billings and worked for the Burlington Northern, Madden Construction Supply, and did oil and gas work before buying BYE Beverage with his good friend Harvey Young. After 10 years in the beer business, he moved on to home and land development.

In 1975, he met his wife of 37 years, Carol. They were married on Sept. 6, 1975, and, in the ensuing years, had three children: Matthew, Brittainy and Jacob.

Gene is survived by his wife, Carol; son Matthew (Michelle) Brosovich, and grandchildren Brendan, Kailey and Kelsey; daughter Brittainy (Jay) Doucette, and grandsons Owen and Harper; and son Jacob (Heidi) Brosovich, and grandson Brooks and a future grandson just on the horizon. His grandchildren were the light of his life, and attending their activities and games were one of his greater pleasures. He is also survived by his mother, Regina of Billings.

Gene was loved by his family for his humor and sense of fun as well as by his many friends, all of whom he held dear. There was never an acquaintance he didn't call friend, and perhaps that is his epitaph.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to any cancer research, Billings Clinic ICC or oncology, or Caring Bridge, on which we kept everyone posted on his progress. Thanks to all who wrote their wonderful notes to Gene for his family to read and for the future.

 

A special thanks to the wonderful nurses in the ICC at Billings Clinic for their always kind and gentle care and cheerful countenance, caring for those who would not be with us for too much longer. They made his and our last days with him so much more bearable.

The casket is open at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary for visitation. Vigil services will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 29, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 1, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. Cremation will follow mass.

Michelotti-Sawyers is in charge of arrangements and remembrances may be shared with the family at www.michelottisawyers.com.

Gene Brosovich