Gene W. Boucher 1942-2015

SEELEY LAKE - Gene Weldon Boucher, 73, of Seeley Lake, passed away peacefully in his home Tuesday, Oct. 14 of Pulmonary Cystic Fibrosis.

Gene was born Oct. 13, 1942 in Long Beach, Calif., to Jack and Roseva Boucher. He grew up in Live Oak Acres, Oak View, Calif. with his two sisters, Joyce (Jody) and JoAnn and brother, Jack. He went to Santa Ana School, which has been under Lake Casitas for many decades.

After high school, Gene was drafted into the Army in 1960 serving in infantry and as a heavy equipment mechanic and was honorably discharged in 1966. Dec. 6, 1964, he married the love of his life, Helen Benning. They raised their two sons Robert Scott and Steven Lee in Oak View, Calif., where Gene owned and operated Gene's Mobile Repair that specialized in heavy equipment.

After retiring, Gene and Helen bought property in Lake Havasu, Ariz. and Seeley Lake. They moved permanently to Montana in 2003, joining the rest of the Boucher family, to live their best years on the lake.

Gene was loved by everyone who came into his life and made everyone feel at home and part of the family. He loved scuba diving, boating, racing cars, snowmobiling, motorcycle, quad riding and collecting, restoring and showing classic cars. After retiring full time in Seeley Lake, he was active in the Seeley Lake Driftriders Club, a classic car club and enjoyed helping his many friends fix their cars. Gene participated many years in the annual Trans Montana snowmobile ride, helping to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

A loving and strong husband, father, grandfather and friend, Gene took great care of his family and friends. He is survived by his lovely wife of 50 years, Helen; son, Scott in Ventura, Calif.; son, Steve (Jen) in Susanville, Calif.; five grandchildren, Nicholas, Jared (Brittney), Cody, Lucas and Kylie; one great granddaughter, Ashlynn; sister, Joyce (Rick) Rickman, Las Vegas, Nev.; nephews, Doug, Jack, Ron; brother, Jack (Vicki) Boucher, Flathead Lake, Mont.; niece, Jaime and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and his younger sister, Joann.

A Celebration of Life casual get-together was held at the Seeley Lake Senior Citizen's Center Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations be sent to Providence Montana Health Foundation (International Heart Institute) in Gene Boucher's honor at PO Box 4587, Missoula, MT 59806. Or if you prefer to volunteer your time at Saint Patrick's Heart Ward, please write a letter to the same address for coordination. Gene and Helen both spent a lot of time there and were treated very well.