Mr. Eugene W. Penner (Gene) (Joe), 94, of New Hartford, NY passed away on November 10, 2021, at his home, with his loving family by his side. Eugene W. Penner born, March 23, 1927 in Utica New York, the son of Eugene and Anna (Guggeis) Penner, and graduated from UFA in Utica. Gene volunteered for naval service in 1944 and served on the USS Lake Champlain, an aircraft carrier in the Atlantic service. He was honorably discharged in 1946. In 1950 he was recalled to naval service in the Korean War, where he was assigned to the USS Dixie, a destroyer repair ship operating out of Sasebo, Japan. Gene was again honorably discharged in 1952. He was a member of American Legion post 1376 in New Hartford. Gene began work for AT&T in 1947 before being called back into service by the Navy, then continued working there until 1985, where he retired from the White Plains engineering department. He married Mary Patricia Nolan, on May 10, 1952 and the couple enjoyed a loving marriage of 46 years until Mary’s death in 1998. Gene was a volunteer fireman for 37 years serving in all the communities where he lived. He served as captain in Deerfield, New York and was a founding member of the hose busters firematic team. In Valhalla, New York, he was a line officer and also president of the department. In old Forge, he was Vice President of the fire company and on the emergency team as an ambulance driver. In Valhalla, Gene started his scouting experience. He was assistant cubmaster and later was scoutmaster of Troop One which he organized. Then he went on to council level as district commissioner. Gene was a wood badger which is an advanced scouting award. He was a fourth-degree member of the Utica Knights of Columbus and part of the color guard. Gene was a loving kind generous husband and father. 37 years of firefighting ,15 years of scouting and many years of knighthood are his legacy to his country, his church, his community, and his beloved family. Gene and Bertha C. Lawson met in hospice and enjoyed 22 years together until his death. Throughout their years together they enjoyed traveling out west, on cruises and many trips, Hawaii being their favorite place to visit….Both were Hospice volunteers for many years. Gene will be missed for the fun, his hearty laugh and the good times he has given to his family and friends ….he had a heart full of love. Survivors are his devoted wife and loving friend, Bertha C Lawson; a son, Dan Penner (Kim) and two grandchildren, Ryan and Jessica all of Yorktown Heights, New York, and many beloved nieces and nephews. He loved and enjoyed Bertha’s children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren: Steven (Patty) Lawson of Holland Patent, NY, and their children (Andrew, Meggan, Liz, Heather, and Ian); Linda Quinn of Austin, Texas and her three daughters (Jessica, Brittany, and Amber) and Rosemary Lawson of Barneveld, NY. He loved his grand dogs, Gilbert, Gracie and Lincoln. He was pre-deceased by his daughter Cathleen, a brother, Edward and four sisters, Helen Sittig, Anne Bishton, Margaret Moulton and Mary Walsh. The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Hospice and Palliative Care for their loving and compassionate care. Visitation for family and friends is Tuesday, November 16, 2021 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. at the Heintz Funeral Home, 1517 Whitesboro St., Utica, followed by a memorial service at 3:00 p.m. at the conclusion of visitation. Interment will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, remembrance in Gene’s name may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 4277 Middle Settlement Rd., New Hartford, NY 13413. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.