Eugene F. Gulfo

NORTH LIMA - Eugene F. Gulfo, 68, passed away Saturday morning, Oct. 14, 2017, at The Cleveland Clinic after complications from a brief illness.

Eugene was born Dec. 24, 1948, in Youngstown, a son of the late Louis A. and Anne “Jerry” German Gulfo, and was a lifelong area resident.

He was a 1967 graduate of Austintown Fitch High School, where he played varsity football, and he also attended Youngstown State University for a time. 

Mr. Gulfo owned and operated Gulfo’s Beer & Wine Store in Youngstown’s Brier Hill neighborhood in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He then began his career in the grocery business at Bob’s Supermarket on city’s northside, and subsequently worked for Bindas Sparkle Market in Austintown while moonlighting at the Union Square Sparkle Market. From that foundation, Eugene became a co-owner of three Giant Eagle Supermarkets in Ashtabula, Lincoln Knolls, and Brookfield, and in 2003, he became the sole owner of the Giant Eagle Supermarket in North Lima. After he retired in 2009, he worked part-time at the Poland Giant Eagle, and with Bloomin’ Crazy Flowers & Gifts.

Eugene was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Youngstown. He was also a member of the Rotary and of the Grocers’ Union, and he was a band parent at South Range High School. 

Mr. Gulfo had a passion for hunting, fishing, golfing, and cooking, and he was a fan of the Cleveland Indians. He enjoyed yardwork and watching golf on TV, especially Tiger Woods, and he loved his family and friends. He loved all his nieces and nephews dearly, and was especially close to nephew, Michael, and niece, Jessica, but the true love of his life was his daughter, Anne.

Eugene leaves his daughter, Anne Gulfo of North Lima; two brothers, Louis Anthony (Nancy) Gulfo of Youngstown and William D. (Jo Ellen) Gulfo of Youngstown; three sisters, Michele S. (Ken) Hoover of Austintown, Susan M. (Mike) Shaffer of Madison, and Kathleen A. (James) Gennock of Salt Lake City; many nieces and nephews; many great-nieces and great-nephews; and his pet parrot, Sam.

Family and friends call from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 19, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Rd., Youngstown, where a prayer service will take place at 4 p.m.

Funeral services will begin at 9:15 a.m., Friday, Oct. 20, at the funeral home, and will continue at 10 a.m. at Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church on North Belle Vista Avenue in Youngstown. Interment will follow funeral services at the parish cemetery.