Condolences
Dearest Alla and Michael,
It was the winter of 1980 when I landed in Calgary from the UK and got hired on at Fluor that I first met Eugene … I was immediately drawn to his welcoming and accepting personality … he was stocky powerfully built and more impressively, a Russian! … He was the first Russian I had ever met, and I was proud to let my friends know I knew a Russian! … behind that calm and pleasant demeanor … I just knew there was a Rocky-type superhero personality lurking in his background … and the more he talked about his experiences in the Russian army the surer of it I was. Yes, we became good friends … the first time he invited me to his house … was when I met Alla … we sat down at the living room table … and Eugene brought over a couple of shot glasses and a bottle of vodka … as we chatted … Eugene topped up the shot glasses with Vodka ….Alla brought over a bowl of pickles … then to my astonishment and horror … being an Indian born in Africa … I had never seen anything like this … Eugene downed the vodka in the shot glass in one gulp casually chasing it down with a pickle …as he continued to chat softly … I was only used to taking very careful small sips while drinking hard liquor …what kind of crazy situation was I in … but not wanting to be discourteous … I too picked up the shot glass brimming to the top and gulped down the fiery vodka in one shot … … I was thankful my dark skin did not give away my flushed cheeks as the shock effect of the liquid exploded in my gut … as the spinning room began to slow down … I was aghast …Eugene had already filled our glasses again and was already downing another ….. Good Grief …I had to keep up … so down went another … Eugene’s voice was now a soft distant muffle …and on we drank … dang! … the thought swimming in my foggy mind was that I now knew what it meant to be with a Russian!!! … I don’t remember much of the rest of the evening and worse … how I managed to drive home … every time I meet a new friend invariably when it comes to having a few drinks …. I have to tell them about my friend Eugene.
Eugene was always generous with his time even when I had difficulties, often putting in a good word and helping me get hired …sharing accommodations with me in Fort Mc Murray … … after I had moved to the US and lost my job … Eugene went out on a limb to recommend me to a major EPC company resulting in me being offered a job in Calgary. I had not thought through all the hurdles of relocating my family back to Calgary and regretfully had to turn down the job, after accepting it! …causing Eugene to lose face and prestige … yet he never held it against me and continued to be my friend.
God Bless You and may your Soul Rest in Peace Eugene, my Friend!
Melvyn
To Alla, Michael & extended family,
We are so sorry to hear of Eugene's sudden passing and regret not having said good 'bye to him. We'll miss his congenial and helpful presence in our neighbourhood, especially the enjoyable chats we frequently had in which he offered much appreciated and helpful assistance or information. As well, he certainly contributed a calming influence to the rest of us during this stressful pandemic. We send our sympathy and very best wishes for moving forward and living joyfully, as Eugene would undoubtedly want for his family. '
With sincere condolences, Marlene & Don Harris
My sincere condolence to the family. I always enjoyed my many conversations with Eugene as we both shared the same passion for motorcycles. Many stories were told while enjoying an espresso together with our mutual friend Dave ‘HotDawg’ Larmour. Good bye Eugene.
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