EUGENE LIGHT

LIGHT--Eugene "Gene", died at the age of 90 from chronic respiratory failure at his home in White Plains, New York on August 6, 2022 surrounded by his family. Born in Brooklyn on December 7, 1931, Gene attended the High School of Music and Art in upper Manhattan, graduating in 1949. After a year at Cooper Union, he worked his way around the world on an oil tanker. Upon his return, Gene was drafted into the army during the Korean War, serving his time in Germany. Back in the states, he went to work for Time-Life. Starting as Assistant Photographic Art Director for LIFE Magazine in 1958, he rose to an Editorial Art Director where he put together one of the most important weekly magazines ever. His signature year-end covers of all type only amplified the unique photo essays on the inside. His design style graced the last cover of the weekly publication sneaking 'Goodbye' into the lower right hand corner. He then joined Warner Books designing book jackets. A few years later Time Inc. called for him to be Art Director of a new magazine they were starting, PEOPLE. He declined telling them he was staying where he was. During his time at Warner Books he art directed the book covers for authors as far ranging from William Goldman to exercise guru Richard Simmons to Sidney Sheldon to former President Richard Nixon. He liked to say; "Anybody who ever said 'don't judge a book by its cover' never sold a book in his life." After art directing over 3000 covers, he went back to Time Inc. where he supervised the design of coffee table books, cover to cover. Eventually, he was asked to do the history of the magazine, LIFE: THE FIRST 50 YEARS. In that book, he incorporated every cover that was done throughout its run. No project was too large or small for his creative eye. When his wife, Marilyn, began a real estate office with partners, Gene designed the logo, business cards and letterhead for them. After leaving the publishing world he dabbled in abstract art but always missed designing covers and books. When he retired, the same restless spirit that took him around the world as a merchant marine returned. He took on new adventures, getting a commercial bus driver's license and driving a tour bus. Gene loved Los Angeles, and decided to spend time there and became the night manager at the Peninsula Hotel. He took on writing, submitting many published letters to the editor and wrote one of the most impactful "About Men" columns to run in The New York Times Sunday Magazine, "His Son, The Artist," in 1984. He is survived by his wife of over 67 years, Marilyn; and his three children, Rob, Jennifer and Nick. He also leaves behind six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and a legacy of publishing excellence and innovation that remain the standard to this day.