Maurice "Gene" Moore

WINDHAM, Conn. — Maurice “Gene” Moore, 82, of Windham Center, died Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007. He was born to Leonard and Estal Conrad Angstadt Moore Feb. 16, 1925, in Petersburg, Ind. He was educated in the Indiana public schools and graduated from Gerstmeyer High School in 1943. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana State University in 1948 and a Master of Science degree from Indiana University in 1951. He also received a Ph.D. from Michigan State in 1966. He taught public speaking and coached debate in Indiana high schools until 1956 and then went to work teaching at Flint, Mich., Community College where he became the first director of the Robert T. Longway Planetarium. It was not until 1966 that he came to Connecticut to join the faculty of Eastern Connecticut State University. After being there only a short time, he was named Dean of Graduate Studies. When that position was eliminated he moved to the Media department of ECSU where he became department chairman. He stayed there until retiring in 1987. At that time, he was made professor emeritus. After he retired he stayed busy traveling and helping at Windham Center Congregational Church. He also loved to spend time with his family, He was a veteran of World War II who fought in the Battle of the Bulge but left the service in December of 1945 due to an injury. He was a recipient of a purple heart and also a lifetime member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars, American Legion and the Disabled American veterans. Survivors includes five children and their families. First born son, Michael Moore and wife Maxine of Florida and his children, Aisling and Kevin McCloskey of Connecticut and their children, Robert and Kelly Moore of Connecticut and their children and Conor Moore; second born son, Leonard Moore and wife Gail of Texas, his children Alex and Katrina Moore of Texas and their child, Ben Moore of California, Andrew Moore and Katie Moore, both of Texas; third born son, Ronald Moore and wife Caroline of North Carolina, their child Missy Moore of Georgia and her child Angelic Moore of Georgia; first born daughter, DiAnne Moore of Connecticut and her children George Babey of Massachusetts, Jennifer Babey and Justin Babey, both of Connecticut; youngest daughter, Margaret Moore of Massachusetts, her children, Amanda Melahouris, Elizabeth Melahouris, both of Massachusetts and Michael Melahouris of New Hampshire. He also leaves behind many others dear to his heart including especially Steven Grylls, Carmel Moore and Virginia Francois all of Connecticut, staff and residents of St. Mary Home, West One, in W. Hartford, Conn. He was preceded in death by his wife Betty Jane Ferree Moore who died May 8, 2007; a sister, Alice Moore Rombough of Florida.Funeral Services are 11 a.m. Tuesday at Windham Center Congregational Church, junction 1, route 14 and route 103. Graveside services will follow in the Windham Center Cemetery. Visitation is 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St., Willimantic. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans and Windham Center Congregational Church.