Gene Theodore Westin

Gone From Our Sight Gene Theodore Westin, 86 years young, died of a full, but failing heart on December 7, 2015, with his wife of 53 years, Jeane, his daughter Cara and his nephew, Norman Dawson by his side. He is also survived by his sister Francine Moskovitz of this city and nieces, Ellen Worcester and family of Portland, Oregon, Julie Tobin and family of Oakland, Ca. and Laurie Paule and family of Santa Barbara, Ca. Also by nephew Norman Dawson, wife Pam and daughter Skye. Gene was born in New York City, September 3, 1929, to Ira and Sandra Drellich Westin, now deceased. The family moved to Los Angeles in 1940, where his father opened a business and Gene attended Eagle Rock High School, Glendale Jr. College, and California State University of San Jose in 1956 graduating with a B.S. in Business Administration. His college career was interrupted by enlistment in the U.S. Navy from 1951-1955 during the Korean War with principle service as a Journalist in Yokusuka, Japan and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He was awarded medals for Good Conduct, Korean Service, United Nations Service and National Defense After graduating from San Jose State, he worked at the San Jose Mercury News for four years before moving to Sacramento to rejoin his parents who had retired here. He gained employment as a contract writer in the insurance industry, later retiring from SMUD as Editor of Publications in 1983. After his retirement, Gene went straight to the tennis courts at McKinley Park to play tennis into his late 70s most sunny days or, when raining, between showers. He formed many fast friends on the court, including Chris Morgese, Marian Damron and Hawea Pederson. These later became The Lunch Bunch, meeting every Monday noon to talk tennis and eat the best hamburgers and pizza in town. Other neighbors and friends included Leo and Nora Rodriguez, Loch and Joyce McClenahen. A great raconteur and teller of jokes, Gene communicated with humor, written and spoken. He had a special memory for 1940s pop music, lasting through his final days. He loved sports, his Giants, good food eaten with friends, family dinners around the big dining table at his McKinley Park home, his daughter Cara, a nationally known woman powerlifter and his wife, Jeane, a novelist. He leaves behind heartbreak leavened by wonderful memories. A memorial will be planned for January. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that cards or notes with memories of Gene be mailed to Cara Westin, PO Boxes 499, Loomis, CA 95650.