Eugene A. Harcsar, 81, passed away peacefully at home Oct. 11, 2021. Gene was born in Bayonne in 1940 to Eugene and Helen Harcsar. He was a boarding student at Seton Hall Prep and a 1961 graduate of Mount St. Mary’s College (now University), Emmitsburg, Maryland.
Upon graduation, Gene became a United States Marine and was a bombardier navigator with the first squadron of Marine A6A Intruders, an all-weather attack jet unit. He was in Vietnam, land-based at Da Nang. He flew 178 night missions during his 13-month tour of duty and was awarded 14 air medals. While serving his country in Vietnam, his wife Taphy and then two children resided in Philadelphia.
After leaving the Marine Corps, Gene joined Merrill Lynch as a stockbroker and thus began his illustrious career on Wall Street. Subsequent executive positions followed at Morgan Stanley and as senior vice president at Credit Suisse. Following his retirement, he maintained a “desk” at Buckman, Buckman and Reid in Little Silver. Gene also held positions at Dominick and Dominick and Donaldson Luskin and Jenrett.
In 1995, he and fellow U.S. Marines Loren Rabon, Tom Reardon and Navy doctor Gene Cheslock formed the Sea Bright chapter of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. Its successful annual golf outing has raised over $4.5 million in the last 22 years.
Gene’s love of his gardens and having a good book under the umbrella at the beach were legend, but his family, his country and his God were always his priorities. He was a former longtime (38 years) member of Navesink Country Club and a member of Monmouth Beach Bath and Tennis Club since 1987.
Gene leaves his loving wife of 58 years Katherine (Taphy) Smithwaite Harcsar and children Glenn and Tammy Carnevale of Hollywood, Florida; Kate Harcsar and husband Mark Schweers of Stilwell, Kansas; Judd and wife Kathy Harcsar of Irvington, New York; and Ellen and husband Michael Geismar of Charlottesville, Virginia. Cherished grandchildren are Eugenia (Nia) Harcsar, Gus and Cole Purdum, and Anna Kate Schweers, Chloe, Elise, Hudson and Jude Harcsar, Meghan and husband Jason Brown, Maya, Laney and Lance Geismar; and two great-grandchildren, Katie and Harper Brown.
He is also survived by his sister Carol McCoid; his sisters-in-law Frances Smithwaite and husband John Dixon, Jane and Joseph Tareila, Mary Beth and Michael Gorman; dear nieces and nephews; and many, many friends.
John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank, is in charge of the arrangements. Visiting hours were Oct. 18. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Oct. 19 at Holy Cross Church, Rumson.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the U.S. Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (mcsf.org) would be greatly appreciated.
The article originally appeared in the October 21 – 28, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
