Eugene "Gene" Bonvechio, a proud and loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather who was best known for his volunteer work, his amazing polenta and for growing the tastiest, softball-size tomatoes that earned him the nickname "Tomato Whisperer of Ohio," died July 6 at an assisted living facility in New Philadelphia.

Gene, 99, a bricklayer who ran his own business, was married for 76 years to Norma, who died in 2024. They had 6 children, 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Endearingly referred to as "The Patriarch" and "Papa Gene," he established Bonvechio Masonry and over the years worked alongside his sons Todd and Matt. He never forgot all the homes and fireplaces he built and the concrete driveways he poured. Driving around with family or friends, he would proudly point out each place he worked on in three different counties.

Age never slowed him down. When he was 91, Gene helped his son Todd build his new home in Brightwood. Norma carried bricks to him as he laid the bricks.

He always said he enjoyed his work and looked forward to going because “I did have six kids.”

Gene spent much of his retirement doing volunteer work. He worked every year at the Hospice sale and manned the Hospice booth at the Tuscarawas County Fair. He also helped build homes for Habitat for Humanity; one of his proudest moments was meeting former President Jimmy Carter in 2009 at a Habitat site in Atlanta.

A man of many talents, Gene was famous for his ability to grow the biggest and most delicious tomatoes (heirloom Russians), which he would give to anyone who visited because no one family could eat all the tomatoes he grew. When he visited his children around the country he grew tomato plants in their gardens too, and grew so many tomatoes he happily handed them out to friends and neighbors. He was working on developing a tomato variety that could withstand the hotter summers. The family intends to finish the project and name it the Papa Gene Tomato. He was equally famous for his polenta. He would make it on demand, and there was always plenty of demand. He was anointed chief polenta expert for St. Paul’s Catholic Church's annual fund-raising dinners in Midvale.

Gene and Norma enjoyed spending their winters visiting their children around the country. They river rafted in Idaho; went beachcombing in Florida; and hiked in Canada, Arizona, Colorado, Washington, California, North Carolina and the Georgia Mountains. When he was 83 he drove cross-country with his son-in-law stopping at national and state parks. Norma and Gene remained fun-loving adventurers into their 90s.

Gene grew up in Maple Grove, Ohio, where he earned the nickname “Mop of Maple Grove’’ because of his unique fashion sense. He met Norma on a double date with Norma’s sister Marian and her husband, Joe. Norma and Gene were together ever since and Gene was holding her hand when she died.

He is survived by his children Wendy Bonvechio, Ojai, CA; Marty Bonvechio (husband Duane Dammeyer), Ventura, CA; Todd Bonvechio (Peggy), Brightwood; Matt Bonvechio (Robin), Gnadenhutten; Craig Bonvechio, Brecksville; 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Norma; his daughter Jean Ann Wacker; his parents John and Lucy Bonvechio; his brother Robert, and sister Mary Myers.

A celebration of life will be held 1-3 p.m. Saturday, July 18 at the Geib Funeral Center, 5600 N. Wooster Ave. Ext. NW in Dover.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to Ohio’s Hospice, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.