FORT MYERS, Fla. – Eugene “Gene” Guidotti, 89 years old, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 12, 2021, in Fort Myers, Fla.

Gene was predeceased by his wife of 49 years, Irene Levesque Guidotte of Lewiston; his father, Gino Guidotti. his mother, Marie Bigham of Buffalo, N.Y.; and grandmother, Maude Alma Bigham of Lancaster, Ohio.

Gene, upon graduating from Lancaster High School, Lancaster, Ohio, joined the U.S. Navy as an aircraft mechanic. He continued his military career in the U.S. Air Force for a total of 20 years. His USAF career included two tours during the Vietnam conflict, 1963 and 1967. He retired from active duty as master sergeant in 1970 and was a member of the Air Commando Association. After active duty, he became a calibration engineer in power plant construction.

Gene was a very passionate and talented musician from an early age and played tenor sax until he was 86 years old. He accepted every opportunity to jam with different bands and played professionally throughout the years. As a snowbird, he played every winter with Bonnie Lancaster-Craig at the Diamond Head Resort on Fort Myers Beach. His music was a gift to all that heard him play.

Retired Master Sgt. Eugene Guidotti is survived by his younger brother, Joseph Guidotti and life-partner Johnny Evans Marks of Philadelphia; children Joseph P. Rakowski and his wife, Katherine of Fort Myers, Fla., Tina-Marie Dietter and her husband, Brandon Dietter of Bonita Springs, Fla. and Theresa Allocca and her life-partner Joel Bicknell of Poland Spring; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren Amber and Aaron White and their daughters Emily and Aubrey; Joseph and Elizabeth Rakowski and their sons William and Ivor; Alyssa and Chris Emiliucci-Cox and their children Fino and Madeleine; Allison and Curt Supple and their son Arthur; Drew Dietter and Azelle Dietter; Adele Allocca and her fiance Tyler Merchant. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Rejane Lemieux; along with many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and godchildren. Gene was predeceased by his grandson, Timothy “Asti” Davison.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Cecelia’s Catholic Community Church on July 3 at 10 a.m. in Ft. Myers, Fla. A military Graveside Honor Ceremony will take place in the fall in Maine, date to be determined.