Obituary of Eugene M. "Gooch" Sikanowicz

Eugene M. "Gooch" Sikanowicz South Plainfield - Eugene M. "Gooch" Sikanowicz, 79, passed away on Friday evening September 4, 2009 at is home surrounded by his family. Born and raised in South Plainfield, Gooch has been a life long resident of South Plainfield. As a proud marine, Gooch served in the United States Marines, stateside, during the Korean War before his honorable discharge in 1953. He has been a member of the South Plainfield American Legion Chaumont Post #243 for over 50 years. Employed by the South Plainfield Police Department as a police officer for over thirty years, Gooch had attained the rank of Captain and was serving in that position for a number of years before his retirement in the 1980's. He awarded numerous citations for his sharp shooting abilities and was also a member of the departments pistol team. In addition, Gooch was the founder and former owner of Colonial Fence Company of South Plainfield. He had a love of horses. Gooch enjoyed spending time being a former owner of race horses and going to the track. Predeceased by his parents, Michael & Catherine, his is survived by his loving wife of 51 years; Kay ( Grube ) Sikanowicz, his dear four children; Kathryn, Michael & his wife Mary, Sandra, and Thomas & his wife Nora. His sister, Estelle Switzer, his brothers, Leon & Paul and his beloved eight grandchildren; Michael Jr., Erin, Zachary, Matthew, Tyler, Troy, Thomas Scott & Taylor. In addition, surviving are loving nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 9:15 AM in the McCriskin - Gustafson Home For Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Ave. South Plainfield, NJ 07080 followed by a 10:00 AM funeral mass in Sacred Heart RC Church, South Plainfield. Interment will follow in Hillside Cemetery, Scotch Plains. Visitation hours are Tuesday, September 8, 2009 from 4-8 PM. Memorial donations, in his memory, may be made to the Haven Hospice, C/O 65 James Street, Edison, NJ 08820