Eugene J. Washington Sr.

Eugene J Washington, Sr. (Gene), 87, passed away peacefully at home on November 29th, 2025.
Eugene was born in Newark, NJ to John and Ellen (Duffy) Washington in 1938. He lived in Irvington, NJ, for a short time before moving to Iselin in 1971.
Eugene was the beloved husband of 57 years to Elizabeth (Betty) Carr, devoted father to his loving children Eileen Griffin of South Plainfield and Gene Washington Jr. and his wife Lisa of Avenel. He was also the adored Grandpa to his beloved granddaughters, Caitlin and Riley Griffin, and to his grandsons, Preston Kenney and Mason Washington.
Gene is also survived by his three sisters, Ellen Sullivan, Mary Matthews, and Kathy Blaha, and his three brothers, James, Michael, and Larry Washington. He is predeceased by his four sisters, Patricia McGarry, Margaret Meier, Elizabeth Lahey, and Eileen Washington, and his eight brothers, John, Bernard, Thomas, Richard, Frank, Edward, Leo, and Joseph Washington. Gene is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Gene was a member of Operating Engineers Local 68 since 1966, retiring from Newark Hilton Gateway Hotel in 2003. Previously he worked at 2 Cedar Street Newark Board of Education building for many years.
Gene was a proud Veteran of the United States Army, a member of American Legion Post 471, a member of St. Cecilia's Church in Iselin for 54 years and a lifelong Yankees fan. Gene was an extremely hard worker, and took pride in himself for such. In his free time, he enjoyed many activities such as spending time with his grandchildren and friends.
Friends and relatives are invited on Wednesday, December 3rd, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Costello-Runyon Funeral Home, on Green St. in Iselin. A Funeral Service will begin the next day Thursday, December 4th at 9:45 a.m. at the Funeral Home followed by a Funeral Mass of Catholic Burial at 10:30 a.m. at St. Cecilia's Church. Interment will follow in Colonia at St. Gertrude Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Gene's memory to Alpine Learning Group Foundation at 777 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ 07652.