Eugene M. Kagan

1930 - 2023

Eugene M. Kagan of Boca Raton, FL and formerly of West Hartford, CT, passed away peacefully at home on April 7, 2023 at the age of 92. He was the husband of the late Elaine G. Kagan, who passed away in 2020.

Gene leaves behind his three daughters who worshipped him, Tamara Kagan Levine, Caren Kagan Evans and Julie Susan Kagan; his beloved grandchildren, Ross Weiner (with wife Jane), Elizabeth Weiner Miller (with husband Andy), and Rachel and Joshua Evans; and his four great grandchildren, whom he adored, Spencer and Lilly Weiner, and Evan and Ryan Miller, all of whom were incredibly lucky to have him as their Papa.

Born in Hartford, CT on July 9, 1930 to the late Tillie (Darefsky) and Jack Kagan, Gene graduated from Weaver High School in 1948, the University of Connecticut in 1953, and third in his class from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1956.

He met the love of his life, Elaine, at a dance at the Jewish Community Center in Hartford in 1950, and they were married three years later. After Elaine worked to put Gene through law school, they settled in West Hartford where they raised their three daughters.

Gene was a brilliant lawyer who began his legal career at Ribicoff & Kotkin, and established his own practice four years later, initially with Barry Greene, his closest friend for almost 70 years. Respected immensely by his peers, and appreciated by the countless developers who were his clients for decades, he was considered a "dean" of the Connecticut commercial real estate bar.

He practiced law for 39 years, the final 13 years with his daughter, Tammy. Gene was also an outstanding and highly successful real estate developer, and was involved in his projects until the end of his life.

Gene was a scholar in every sense of the word. In addition to the law, he was a student of American and Jewish history and constantly studied both. His Judaism was immensely important to him, and he was an incredibly generous philanthropist to a multitude of Jewish charities.

Although he greatly enjoyed his careers as a lawyer and real estate developer, and his time on the golf course, it was the time he spent with his family that made Gene the happiest. More than anything, he loved being with Elaine, their children, and their grandchildren, all of whom he counseled, encouraged, and fiercely and unconditionally loved - and they him. Whether it was spending time with family in Florida, taking everyone to Las Vegas and Puerto Rico, or sitting quietly with one of the kids sleeping on his lap, being a husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather were the roles he most cherished. Gene was everyone's biggest cheerleader, and he guided his children and grandchildren with his sage advice, love and compassion. Each time a great grandchild was welcomed into the world, Gene was ready with endless love and a new game of Candyland, teaching them how to play and loving every minute.

Besides his parents and his wife, Gene was predeceased by his sisters, Arline Kagan Himmelstein and Carol Kagan Schachter and his son-in-law, Marc Levine. He also leaves behind several nieces and nephews. Tammy, Caren and Julie will be eternally grateful to Gene's caregiver, Vanetta ("Vee") who treated him like a father and made his life so much better over the last few years. Caren and Tammy will also forever appreciate Julie for her extraordinary attention and daily visits to their Dad.

The funeral will be held graveside (and via zoom) at noon on Tuesday, April 11th at Beth El Cemetery, 51 Jackson Street in Avon, CT with Rabbi James Rosen officiating. Shiva will be held at Tammy's home in Bloomfield following the service. Due to the Passover holiday, official shiva will be limited, but visitors are welcome to visit Tammy's through Thursday evening.

Contributions may be made in Gene's memory to the Rose and Charles Silverman Endowment Fund at Beth El Temple, the Kagan Fund at Solomon Schechter Day School, the Eugene M. Kagan Scholarship Fund at the UConn School of Law, or any other charity of the donor's choice.