Eugene Bayliss

1927 - 2016

Bayliss, Eugene R.
Eugene Ransom Bayliss, known to all as Gene, died on Thursday, September 15, 2016 at Chandler Hall Hospice Pavilion from the effects of Parkinson's and Parkinson's dementia.
Gene lived a grand life with his family, his theatrical career and his faith. He was the last remaining of 11 children, born on March 28, 1927 to John and Catherine Bayliss in Birmingham, Alabama. Together with his wife of 56 years, Madeline Deasy Bayliss, he was the proud dad to 6 children, granddad to 15 grandchildren and great-granddad to 4 great-grandchildren.
These families are: Randy (partner Deidre) and children Elizabeth, Christopher and Gregory; Madeline (partner Tom) and children Douglas (wife Kyoko) and Meredith; Philip (MD), wife Peggy and children Cathryn Marsala (husband Jaime and children Jack and Maggie), Ashley Markey (husband Casey and children Taylor and Ryan) and Philip (wife Amy); Maura White, husband Jim and son Casey; David, and children Allison (deceased), Christine, James and Ryan; and Stephen, wife Elissa and children Declan and Kendall.
Gene had his eyes on Broadway even before he left Birmingham for the Northwestern University's School of Communication Speech and Theatre program. He and Lola Mae Jones Coates graced the floor of the Steeple Arts Academy of Dance in Birmingham. At Northwestern, Gene starred in many performances, none more special than Northwestern's acclaimed own annual original musical, The Waa-Mu Show. He led on the football field as well as head cheerleader, bringing a bold dynamic to the squad's routines and the crowd's enthusiasm. Gene took the squad cross-country for Northwestern's Rose Bowl appearance in 1949, making radio news headlines as he cartwheeled off the train in a raccoon coat and straw hat. When the Wildcats earned their second appearance in 1996, Gene provided an encore performance of that entrance at the alumni dinner.
It was his special combination of graceful, creative movement along with his articulate, expressive speech and leadership talent that marked Gene's career as director and choreographer. All the world was truly his stage. He made New York City his base for the early dancing days in commercials and live TV shows. Gene added director and producer credits as well for Voice of Firestone, Dinah Shore, Dave Garroway and CBS Children and Repertory Theater Shows. Television also broadcast his performing arts touch for the Michigan Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Miss USA, Miss Universe, America's Junior Miss, Mrs. America and Mrs. World pageants.
His love of Broadway was memorialized for all when he created the staging for the show stopping "Telephone Hour" and "Lot of Living" numbers in Bye, Bye Birdie and for Carnival. Gene recreated these shows for international and over 150 regional and summer stock tours. His last professional performance was A Chorus Line at the summer Musicals at Richter in Danbury, Connecticut. Gene fulfilled the dreams of younger amateurs who "had to get that job" in the Staples High School musical productions in Westport, Connecticut. He paired with music director George Weigle over many years for extraordinary experiences for cast and audience alike, including a few of the signature acts from Carnival.
Gene was in the forefront of the taking the power of music and presentation – live, film/video and digital - to the business sector. His international experience made him a trusted producer of product launches and corporate meetings for executives of many Fortune 500 companies. Minolta, Nabisco and GE Capital relied on Gene as did Chevrolet, Cadillac and Pontiac. Add to that list Exxon, Monroe, Frigidaire, Coca-Cola, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Singer, Ford, Oil of Olay, Scott Paper, Oldsmobile, General Foods, Crown Fork Lift, CIT, Kodak, AFA, Vector Graphics, Practicing Law Institute and National Chamber of Commerce.
While Gene's work took him to places around the world, his home, his community and his church were where his heart always resided. He served as vice president of the Connecticut Ballet School. He and Madeline supported Catholic education for their children and led by example with daily prayer and active participation at weekly Mass and parish activities. Gene brought a special touch to his readings at Mass for years at Church of the Assumption in Westport and later at St. Francis Church in Weston as well as his contribution to parish events.
Gene will rest in peace alongside his wife Madeline who preceded him in death in 2008. The family will receive visitors at Hoyt-Cognetta funeral Home, 5 East Wall Street, Norwalk, CT on Sunday, September 18, 2016 from 2:00pm to 6:00 p.m. All are welcome to celebrate Gene's departure to everlasting life in a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, September 19, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Church of the Assumption, 98 Riverside Avenue, Westport, CT.
Flowers are welcome as Gene loved growing and arranging them. He also loved supporting the creation of new theatrical works and new talent. Gene was a member of Actors' Equity and The Lambs, America's oldest theatrical organization. Donations in Gene's memory to The Lambs Foundation will go toward continuing the legacy of theatre. www.TheLambsFoundation.org.