Honeoye: At age 74, Gene passed on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY. He was born at Genesee Hospital in Rochester, NY, and proudly lived his entire life in Honeoye, NY. Gene was predeceased by his parents William and Thelma (Scott) Koehnlein and brother Gary Koehnlein. He is survived by his brothers Gregory Koehnlein of Honeoye, NY, and Glen Koehnlein of Nokomis, FL, wife Linda (Wood) Koehnlein, son Casey Koehnlein, daughter-in-law Jennifer (Richardson) Koehnlein and grandson Charles J. Koehnlein of Honeoye, NY, and daughter Jamie (Koehnlein) Connor, son-in-law Stephen Connor, and granddaughters Tilly Mae Connor and Georgia Kathleen Connor of Woodbury, VT.
In Gene’s early life, he enjoyed mischief-making and competing in sports with his three brothers. He liked driving fast cars, running and fixing machines large and small, and living lake life to the fullest. He was a student of Honeoye Central School and SUNY Oswego and a man of many trades and talents. He was a teacher of industrial arts, owner of G & G Sawdust, estimator for Hoffends & Sons, property developer, Richmond Town Supervisor, and beloved caretaker and owner of Old Mill Manor Senior Living.
Gene and his loving wife Linda stood side by side for 52 years of marriage, through every season of life. They traveled the globe as a young couple, raised their two children, and attended countless basketball, tennis, and soccer games as Honeoye Bulldog and UVM Catamount super fans. Together they loyally supported their own parents through the challenging late stages of life.
So often, Gene was referred to as “the man with kind eyes.” He was a trusted face to babies and puppies alike. He fiercely loved his three grandchildren, helped his son and daughter with their home projects and car maintenance, and actively worked to keep a perfectly manicured lawn. He enjoyed golfing with his buddies, and though a humble man, he took great pride in his recent hole-in-one triumph. His brother Greg described him as the “titan of the family,” and his steady demeanor and sense of calm in any calamity will be missed most of all.
Keeping with Gene’s wishes there will be no formal calling or service. To share a memory or a condolence please visit www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com.
It’s challenging to put into words how beloved this man was to so many. The impact he has had on, not only mine, but my sons lives will be lifelong.
Gene and Linda are the salt of the earth people. Gene had a way of making the residents and his friends know that he was always there and provided a friendship and warmth rarely found. He truly listened and cared deeply for all of us and his community at large.
His witty and hilarious voicemails provide comfort and remind me of a man I will miss forever. The greatest tribute we can all give is to be kind to one another and live each day to its fullest.
Thank you doesn’t seem to be enough..
He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.
We had lots of laughs and great memories from the summers at Honeoye Lake. You will be missed very much by all of your family and friends. My condolences to Linda and the family. You will be missed.
Linda, Casey and Jamie,
To say most of Honeoye was shocked would be an understatement.
We are so sorry for this great loss of a fellow business man who was highly thought of.
May God fill you hearts with great memories and joy when you think of him..
Love
Linda and family I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. Think of you often now more than ever. Hoping you get through this difficult time together. The times at the lake as teens still are there. The one that sticks out is you standing outside your motel room. I knew it was the right move for your next adventure!! Loved our grade school times. Think of them often. Stay strong. Love… Joy
My sincere condolences to Linda, Casey and Jamie. Gene was a kind sensitive wonderful person who will be missed.
Lot of years have passed,memories faded of a great brother in law and best friend.RIP
So sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you.
So sorry to hear of Gene’s passing. Gene, his parents & brothers were a large part of my growing up in Honeoye. He will be missed by so many, may he rest in peace. Condolences to Gene’s family & many friends.
Dear Linda & family, Greg & Glen, I am so saddened to hear of Gene’s passing, he was always the Best of the Best neighbor to me, all you guys from being younger. May he be at peace with Bill & Thelma and Gary looking over you all. East Lake Road will never be the same. You being named the G men on our track, just not that but always a smile and helping hand. The grin with your Mom being teased, loved every minute of that. Watching you and Linda so happy for years and years.. Will always be my Buddy in need. Take care all of you may god watch over all of you, Donna Schaefer-Thompson
We’re so sorry to hear of the passing of Gene. Our sincere sympathy to Linda & all the Koehnlein family.
Pat & Larry Sliker
We send our deepest sympathies to you Linda and your family. Gene will always be remembered by us for this heartfelt care and love in all he did. May God give you strength at this time.
John and Corby Broadwell
So sad to hear this news! His smile is what I remember the most. Going to school with his children I always remember he and Mrs. Koehnlien and their smiles of pride and love watching Casey and Jamie! He was always so nice. My sincere thoughts and support to the entire family!!
We are so very sorry to hear of Gene’s passing. Truly he was a gentle soul. At least once a week I would see him mowing his field as I walked the East Lake Road. His greetings were always so warm. He will be greatly missed.
Linda and family,
Leigh and I are so sorry to hear of Gene’s passing. He was such a nice guy with a contagious smile. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Leigh and Marie Statt
David and I are so sad to read that Gene passed away.
So many memories and laughs in the summers on Honeoye Lake and then my friend Linda from high school in Rochester came to visit for a few weekends…she stole Gene’s heart and the rest is history
Gene was certainly one of the good guys and will be missed
Mary and David Delaney
Sad news. Our thoughts and prayers to the Koehnlein family.
Humbled to have taken care of Gene. I certainly agree “the man with the kind eyes”. His legacy is well cared for by his family, which I’m honored to know personally and professionally. Gene has touched many lives, including my own.
Dear Linda and family.
Wishing you peace and prayers in the difficult days ahead- days without Gene’s light in your lives.
He will ALWAYS be remembered as one of the G-men- the Koehnlien boys forever.
Forever,
Bill and Marsha Fitzgerald
Yesterday I heard the sad news of Gene’s passing. We were a group of parents raising our kids together in Honeoye. There were many evenings spent sitting on the bleachers in the gym or aside the soccer fields cheering our kids on. And many Friday nights the rest of the year having dinner together at the Valley Inn. Our kids were all friends, and the parents were all friends – it was a very special time. I last saw Gene and Linda a year ago today at the Memorial Day parade and service in town while visiting my son and family. Seeing them was such a wonderful, happy memory. To Linda and family I extend sincere condolences and many happy, joyous memories of your loving husband and dad to comfort you.
I am so sorry to hear about Gene’s passing. My condolences go out to the entire Koehnlein family. Having grown up just down the road on East Lake Road brings back so many memories of our chats. Gene and the family are in our thoughts and prayers.
I am so sorry for your loss. Gene was a great person. I went to school with his brother Gary but I can’t for get the other three. Their mom use to dress them a like and line them up. They looked so cute but here Gene was with his blonde hair. He stood out and you could see the dickens in his eyes. You and Gene became my neighbors and when he would mow the lawn he would always wave. He will be missed very much
Sandy
Patti and I are so sorry to hear of Gene’s passing. Gene was the type of person that we wish more people were like. His devotion to family and community made us marvel!
Gene will be sorely missed, Linda, Casey, Jamie and their families lost a “giant of a man”
My Condolences to the family.
I remember when the Koehnlien’s
Moved to Honeoye. The Four G-Men.
Gray and I were in the same class.
We were friends. I alway had a good time with the Koehnleins.
Great family.
To Linda and family: Words cannot express how deeply sorry I am to hear of your loss. I worked with Gene for many years at Hoffrnf and Sons and always found him to be a wonderful person. I never heard a unkind word come out of Genes mouth. He always made us laugh he was sort of the foundation of our department. I will always remember him fondly and glad to say that he was a friend. .
Difficult to organize my thoughts and speak to the news of Gene’s loss. Gene may have been my best friend in the 60’s and 70’s. I stood up at his wedding to Linda in 72’. I was close to his parents and his three brothers but my life took some turns and we drifted apart. We had some wonderful times and he was a pleasure as a man and a friend. Though I haven’t seen him in years, I will miss him. Condolences to Linda and the Koehnlein family.
Deeply saddened to hear the passing of Gene and will always remember the good times we had together over the years. Our sincere condolences to Linda and all of the Koehnlein family. Love, Gordy Scott & Carol Alman
So sorry to hear of Gene’s passing.It has been too many years since I have talked to Gene but I still have many memories of him. We were best friends growing up while going through school at HCS and did many things together– although not all were well thought-out. I send my sincere condolences to Linda, Gene’s children and grandchildren and the entire Koehnlein family. May God bless you all.
Dear Linda and Family
I grew up knowing Gene and his family. Our families were always together and only through time and life have we lost touch in many ways. It is funny though that when we would run into one of the boys whether it was Gary, Greg, Gene or Glen my heart would always swell with all of the memories that our families had. My heart cringes whenever someone that used to be this close to me and my family passes on leaving another gap in my heart. Bonnie and I send all of our thoughts to you Linda and the kids and hope that you can find peace knowing Gene is with his family and friends. God Bless you all.
Jim and Bonnie
My very deepest sympathy to Linda and family. Gene will aways be remembered so fondly.
Sincerely,
Mary J Watson
Phil & I would like to send our condolences to Genes family. Even though hadn’t stayed in touch many memories of earlier days on E Lake Rd especially at Stumbos store. Phil always competing for fastest cars w Gene and car trading back and forth. We will always cherish those times.
I’m am so sorry for your loss!
I am so profoundly saddened to learn of the sudden passing of former Richmond Town Supervisor Gene L. Koehnlein. Gene’s obituary does him justice as “the man with kind eyes.” He was a trusted face to babies…” I know this for a fact. As young man, Gene and his brothers babysat me and my siblings when we were very young toddlers in the 1960s, growing up on Honeoye Lake. As an adult, I shall always cherish the words of advice and counsel to me, from “the man with kind eyes” in my role as a town official.
To Linda, Casey, and Jamie and all: Please know I how profoundly grieved I am over Gene’s passing, but know in the time of your collective grief, that “the man with kind eyes” left an indelible legacy with me, my family, and the countless folks whose lives he touched. I am going to miss him. My world feels empty.
Gene was a rock star and an important part of our life. Rest in peace our dear friend . You will be missed by many !
My deepest condolences. Love, light, and strength to each of you during this difficult time.
Linda and family so sorry for your loss. Died to soon but lived and loved life to the fullest
Jim and Deb Pero
Gene sold me the land next to him on Co Rd 37. 25 years ago. Was a great neighbor and friend. To his family Linda, Casey, and Jamie. I am so sorry for your loss. He will be greatly missed!!!
We are so very sorry to hear of Gene’s passing. He was a Honeoye icon for sure. Our condolences to his family.
A very sad day, yet one filled with so many wonderful memories. Lots of laughs, Gene was awesome, great husband, loving Father and Grandfather. So many reflections, the best high school football running back in the Rochester region…ever, a lookout for me on behalf of my brother Greg, I will miss him so much, my only regret is we all didn’t make more time to hang out
Nice man will be missed.