Eugene A. (Geno) Ardisson 87
Geno beloved uncle, great uncle, great great uncle passed away peacefully on Monday, Nov. 21, 2016, at St. James Health Care.
Geno was born July 20, 1929, the youngest of three children born to John and Dora (Cima) Ardisson. He was raised in Walkerville with his sister Leah and brother Walter. He attended local schools, graduating from Butte High in 1948.
After graduation Geno went to work as an accounted for the Texaco Company in Butte. In 1952 he joined the US Air Force, went to basic training and photography school in Texas and was stationed in Japan where he had the opportunity to visit his brother Walter who was also stationed there. Given the opportunity to change duty stations, Geno chose the furthest point north in Korea so he could be in his beloved snowy weather. He was very proud of his military service and often talked about old friends he had made and their missions and exploits.
Upon returning to his home in Walkerville he rejoined the Texaco Company and remained with them until the offices were closed in 1960. He decided to take the severance that was offered rather than transfer to another office out of state and made the decision to go back to school at Western Montana College. He majored in Elementary Education and Biological Sciences and graduated in 1963 with honors and as a member of Who's Who of American Colleges and Universities. He went to work for the Butte School District until taking an early retirement incentive in 1984.
Geno was a true sportsmen and he spent many hours fishing the Big Hole River, that he loved, and hunting throughout the state. He , however, spent most of his hunting hours on what he called his mountain, Fleecer. He knew every inch of that mountain and all the elk migrations and movements. He had even, over the years, named two of his springer spaniels Fleecer, and Fleecer II. He was proud of having harvested an elk every year for 53 years straight and taking every elk he got out whole. He once said the day he had to quarter his elk to get it out would be his last hunting trip. If any of his friends, and he had many, would stop by for a visit they would be thoroughly entertained with the many hunting stories he would tell, for he would explain everyone in detail.
Geno was preceeded in death by his grandmother, Grunda Cima, mother and father, John and Dora, sister and brother-in-law, Leah and Bill Ries, brother and sister-in-law, Walter and Jean Ardisson, aunt, Minnie Cima, and nephew Stan McLeod.
He is survived by his nephews and nieces, Irene Mcleod, Billie Jean Ries, John (Nancy) Ries, Walter (Lori) Ardisson, Linda Ardisson, and Louanne (Gene) Cutler. Great nephews and nieces, Geah (Eric) Zahler, Michelle McLeod (Glen), Marci McLeod (Norm), Geno Ardisson, Angie Serino, Abby Ardisson, and Tony (Mackenzie ) Ardisson. Great great nephews and nieces, Reece and Brooklyn Zahler, Hunter Castro, and Lyle and Becky Imberi.
Geno's family would like the thank all of his friends for all of their care and visits with Uncle Geno throughout his life and their patients over the last three years. A special thank you to Kay Tutty and family for all their support and help, to Billie Calcaterra for her daily phone calls, cookies, and trips up the river, and Vanna Boccadori for checking on him and including him on many of her rides and adventures.
To the doctors and staff at St. James Health Care for providing Geno with such excellent care, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Relatives and friends may call after 10AM Thursday Dec. 1, at St. Patrick's Church. Funeral services will be celebrated at 11AM. Burial will take place at a later date.
Memorials may be made to St. Lawrence memorial fund, the Divide Grange, or a charity of the donor's choice.