Geno A. "Gene" Taddei

Gene A. Taddei, age 92, of Claymont, DE passed away on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Christiana Care-Christiana Hospital in Newark, DE. He was born to the late Nicholas and Anna (nee Paluch) Taddei on April 13, 1933, in Sullivan Park, PA, and grew up in Wyoming, PA.

Gene started working at 6 years of age to help support his parents, first shining shoes, followed by painting signs, and then playing tenor saxophone in multiple bands, including the Harmonizers, throughout his school years. He loved music and was an avid junior and high school orchestra and marching band member, as well as a state band member in his sophomore, junior, and senior years. His musical ability was well known, and when he graduated from Wyoming Memorial High School in 1951, he received multiple music scholarships, including The Juilliard School. However, he turned all down so that he could continue to help support his family.

Gene was called into service by Uncle Sam in 1952. Because of his musical talent, he served in the Army's 101st Airborne Division Band outside Seattle, WA through 1955, where he had the opportunity to also play in several well-known big bands when off duty. Typical of Gene, all Army paychecks were sent to his parents to help pay their expenses, and he lived off money earned from his off-duty performances.

After being honorably discharged, Gene married the love of his life, Mary Jean Matreselva in 1956 while attending the RCA Technical Institute in New York City, NY. Upon graduation, he was employed by Gray Autograph and its successors (Edison, Lanier, and Collins Business Systems). Gene was initially headquartered in Philadelphia, PA and then in Wilmington, DE. Year after year, he was one of the company's top sales managers nationally, winning countless awards.

In addition to being a superb musician and sales manager, Gene was a talented athlete, playing both semi-pro baseball and basketball before marrying. His love of music, sports, and life in general was passed down to his children, Dr. Wendy C. Taddei-Peters (Michael E.) of Gaithersburg, MD, and Leonard G. Taddei (Cynthia E. Jones-Taddei) of Newark, DE and grandchildren, Lyndsay A. Taddei of Arlington, VA and Matthew A. Taddei of Newark, DE.

Gene was active in the Claymont community, managing his son's Independent, Little, and Senior League baseball teams; serving as an usher at Holy Rosary Catholic Church; attending all school events, which included cheering on the Claymont Middle and High School orchestra and marching bands at their many events; helping his children with homework; and teaching his children, grandchildren, and their neighborhood friends how to play baseball, basketball, and other games. He was always happy to lend a helping hand to family, friends, and neighbors without hesitation. Gene was a gentleman, a devoted family man, loyal friend, and caring neighbor.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mary; brothers, Paul, Nicholas, Jr., Rudolph, John, and Donald; and nephews, Ronald Taddei and Joseph Yozwiak. In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren, he is survived by his sisters-in-law, Delores (nee Troy), Helen (nee Redmerski), and Dorothy (nee Schneider) Taddei, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Gene's family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff of the Trauma Surgical Unit and Accent Care Hospice at Christiana Hospital for their compassion and expert clinical and end-of-life care, respectively, as well as the staff at Gebhart Funeral Home for their kindness and excellent service.

A viewing will be held at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 3200 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, DE 19703, on Monday, February 2, 2026, from 11:00 am until 12:00 Noon, where a Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 12:00 Noon. Interment will follow in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society (https://www.cancer.org), National Kidney Foundation (https://www.kidney.org), or Brain Trauma Foundation (https://braintrauma.org).

To offer condolences, please visit:

Gebhartfuneralhomes.com

302-798-7726