Obituary published on Legacy.com by F. S. Roberts & Son Funeral Home on Apr. 18, 2025.
Eugene Gene Philip Pikul of Kensington, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully in his sleep after an eight-year battle with kidney cancer, at the age of 71. He will be forever missed by his family, friends and all that knew him.
Gene was born on February 6, 1954, in Ipswich, Mass to the late Stanley and Bertha (Kowalski) Pikul. He grew up in Rowley and attended two years at Newburyport High School and 2 years at the new Triton High School. At Triton, Gene was the captain of the football team and kicked off the first football in the new stadium.
Gene worked on the Pikul family farm until he graduated and married his wife, Donna (Collette) Pikul. He started his own trucking company, Pikuls Express, and drove for many years until he hired others to drive so he could stay home and concentrate on his family and being there for his two sons, Eugene Jr. and Jeremy. His wife and sons were his entire world. He loved being involved with the boys sports, Gene with baseball and football, Jeremy with hockey and motocross. They spent many years in stadiums and on the road. With moto-cross, we would travel 8 hours for some races, Jeremy would race, then hed drive home eight hours to get him to school on time.
Genes wife retired at age 41 and the two of them spent every minute together from then on. They loved to travel, chase sandwiches featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, geocaching all over the country, playing Texas Hold Em, and camping. Gene hunted for five years to find just the right motorhome. He was very proud of that accomplishment. They would come back to New Hampshire for the summers, working on the farm while here, and stay in Kensington, then go to Florida every winter.
Gene and Donna started volunteering at Give Kids the World Village, an organization that accommodates terminally ill children. It grew very dear to him; even purchasing land within an hour-drive, so he could continue to volunteer.
Gene and Donna just finished building a new home in Polk County, Florida. It is their perfect, forever home. Along with being one of their happiest accomplishments.
Although Gene had many health issues, you would not notice it by his positive demeanor. He was a fighter and lived every day to its fullest. He is our "HERO".
Gene leaves behind his wife, Donna; sons, Eugene Jr. (Christina) of Kensington, N.H., Jeremy (Julliette) of Dunedin, FL.; six-grandchildren, Frankie, Olivia, Eugene III, Evan, Elise and John; one great-grandchild, Juniper. He also leaves a sister, Janet Blanchette of Rowley; brother, Daniel Pikul, both of
Rowley, MA. He is predeceased by his brother, Stanley Pikul, Jr & sister, Sharon Rogers
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Calling Hours on Thursday, March 13, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at F. S. Roberts & Son Funeral Home, 14 Independent Street, Rowley. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, March 14, 2025, 11:00 a.m., at Saint Mary Parish, 196 Main Street, of Rowley. Burial will follow in Rowley Burial Ground. In lieu of flowers please make a Memorial Contribution to Give Kids the World: c/o Eugene Pikul, 210 S. Bass Road, Kissimmee, FL. 34746.
To light a memorial candle or to leave a message of condolence, please visit www.fsrobertsandson.com.
~ Arrangements entrusted to F. S. Roberts & Son Funeral Home ~
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Eugene, please visit our Tree Store.