Obituary of Eugene Francis Looney

Eugene Francis Looney, former owner of Gene’s Datsun in Cambridge and Boston Mazda in Allston, passed away after a lengthy illness on Monday afternoon, March 10, 2014. He was 82 years old. Eugene was born in Ballingeary, Ireland, the son of the late Thomas and Margaret Looney. He grew up in Thurles, Ireland where his father worked as a policeman. It was in Thurles that he saw a pretty teenager walking down the street and even before he spoke a single word to her, he decided that she was the girl he would someday marry. He courted her in Thurles and they both, in search of work, moved to Wales, where she finally succumbed to his advances. They married in Wales in 1954. Eugene had a keen mind for business, incredible work ethic, and a strong desire to be successful. Eugene went from Ireland to Wales and found work as the driver of a double decker bus. He immigrated to the United States, where he worked as a mechanic for Belmont Volkswagen. He progressed to opening a single bay garage, Gene’s Foreign Car Service. One service bay turned into 7 with numerous employees. He then went on to become the co-owner of Gene’s Datsun in Cambridge and Boston Mazda in Allston with his brothers-in-law, John and James Ryan. Eugene was successful because of the simple values he followed. Do what you love (he loved cars), manage your money wisely, put your heart and soul into your work, and always treat your customers fairly. Eugene lived the American dream. He came to the United States with almost nothing, but with hard work, pride, and the support of his family, he was a successful business owner and a very good provider to his wife and children. Eugene was always on the go, even when he was not working. He loved his homes and when he wasn’t upgrading a home, he was spending hours in his yard maintaining his lawn or in the garden growing his tomato plants and other vegetables. Over the years he had lived in Dorchester, West Roxbury, Belmont, Ireland, Citrus Hills, Florida, and finally, the last 17 years, in Burlington. He loved to play the horses in Ireland. He was an avid golfer and spent over 20 years as a member of the Oakley Country Club in Belmont. Eugene was a loving husband of 60 years to his wife Margaret (Ryan) Looney. He was the caring and supportive father to Marie Ann Rogers & her husband Mark of Chagrin Falls, OH and Eugene Looney & his wife Ellen of Burlington. He was the brother of Rena Lynch of Ireland, the late Catherine Quinn, Bridie Kinane, Thomas, Michael, and Martin Looney. He was the extremely proud grandfather of Christina, Catherine, Caitlin, & Cailey Rogers and Brendan & Catrina Looney. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Saturday, March 15 at 10:30 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 11:30 a.m. Visiting hours Friday from 4-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington.