Eugene J. "Gene" Sarrazin, 91 years, of Fort Madison, Iowa died at 4:53 pm Thursday, September 6, 2012 in the Butterfly Garden Hospice Room at the Fort Madison Community Hospital, Fort Madison, Iowa. He was born March 28, 1921 in Montreal, Quebec Canada, the son of Edward J. and Donalda (LaFrance) Sarrazin. He married Agnes A. Groene on March 2, 1946 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Fort Madison, Iowa. She preceded him in death on October 2, 2005.

In 1946, Gene moved to Fort Madison, Iowa. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, serving during World War II in the Pacific and fought at the Landing of Guadalcanal. He worked for DuPont for 10 years and then for Chevron Chemical, retiring after 22 years of service. He was a member of the V.F.W., American Legion, Marine Corp League and the Fort Madison Veterans Honor Guard. He was also a member of Holy Family Parish, the Knights of Columbus, and the Elks.

In 1983, he and Agnes began a retirement that included time in Florida and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and winters in Texas. He loved to golf. Gene was a true family man and was a significant role model for his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by two sons, Edward (wife Mary) Sarrazin, of Iowa City, Iowa and Michael Sarrazin, of Columbia, Missouri; three daughters: Diane (husband James) Mahan, of Sarasota, Florida; Linda Hamann, of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin; and Patricia (husband Mike) Roach, of Fort Madison, Iowa; 10 grandchildren: Cate, Brooke, Bridget, Jon, Sadie, Jonathan (Angie), Joe (Jen), Patrick, Luke (Cortney), Randi and Isaac Small and Ama Agyabeng; five great grandchildren: Logan, Cooper, Brody, LeRoy, and Caylin; two sisters, Rita Ward, of Dearborn Heights, Michigan and Theresa Turner, of Warren, Michigan; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, two sisters, Bertha and Lucille, a son-in-law LeRoy, a daughter-in-law Becky, and one granddaughter, Jenny.

His family will greet friends from 5:00 - 7:00 pm Monday, September 10, 2012 at the Barr Memorial Chapel. A Christian Wake service will begin at 6:30 pm at the funeral home during the visitation. Per request of his family, the body of Mr. Sarrazin will be cremated, following the Christian Wake Service. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at the Ss. Mary and Joseph Catholic Church, Fort Madison, Iowa with Father Mark P. Spring, as Celebrant. Burial with full military rites will be at Soldiers Circle, Oakland Cemetery, Fort Madison, Iowa. A memorial has been established for Holy Trinity Catholic Schools, contributions may be made at the Barr Memorial Chapel or the church on the day of the service.