Eugene "Gene" Slebodnick

Eugene “Gene” Slebodnick 53, Ebensburg lost his battle Dec. 1, 2021, at Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown. Born June 21,1968 in Altoona the son of Eugene Sr. and Cheryl (Gargon) Slebodnick. Preceded in death by his mother on March 12, 1998, Stepmother, Denise (Koons) Slebodnick on Oct. 24, 2021, aunts and uncles Dottie Forlina, Francis Shevenock, Stephen “Chico” Slebodnick and Frank Tornatore. Survived by his wife the former Laura Wilk whom he married August 2, 1997 at St. Patrick Church, Gallitzin, son Jacob “Jake” and daughter Morgan, his father Eugene “Cutzie”, step brother and sister, William (Robyn) Bloom Jr. and Dena (Chris) Karabinos, god-daughters, Jaden Quinn and Sarah Dell, aunts and uncles Betty Shevenock, Rosie Tornatore, Paul (Donna) Gargon, William “Bill” (Rose) Gargon and numerous cousins and friends. Gene worked as an IT Project Manager for Lifestyle Services, Ebensburg, and was a contractor for NDIC, Johnstown. A 1987 graduate of Bishop Carroll High School and Admiral Peary Vo-Tech with a certificate in computer technology. He also attended Mount Aloysius Junior College. Member of the Sons of the American Legion, Gallitzin and the American Polish Citizens Club, Nanty Glo.

Gene’s passion for music and singing began at an early age as he was trained by Maestro Richard Kuiawa. He sang funerals and weddings locally and also performed in many plays and musicals. His most notable accomplishment was his acceptance to the Juilliard School of Performing Arts.

Gene was most widely known for his involvement in local youth sports at many levels in a variety of sports. Most recently, he was able to coach his daughter as the Blacklick Valley assistant girls’ basketball coach under his former player Whitney Warmus, as well as Rich Price, and as the head softball coach for Blacklick Valley High School. He also coached basketball at St. Demetrius, Forest Hills, Penn Cambria, Ferndale, and Westmont Hilltop, where the team earned a PIAA State AA Runner up finish in 2005. With that team, he was inducted into the Cambria County Sports Hall of Fame in 2016. He also coached AAU Basketball with the Tri-County Stars, Cambria County Mountain Cats and PA Blue Thunder. Gene was the President of Ebensburg Little League for six years and co-founded Ebensburg Softball Association and coached in both organizations. Gene continued coaching his son, Jake, in baseball with the Altoona Teener League, then moved to travel softball for his daughter, Morgan, starting PA Reign Softball Club.

Lastly, Gene was an avid deer hunter. He treasured the time in the woods with his children, sharing his passion and knowledge of the outdoors. He was a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates, as well as Pittsburgh Panthers.

Friends will be received from 4 to 8 PM Sunday at Gibbons Funeral Home, 301 Church Street, Gallitzin, PA16641. Food and fellowship will begin at 3 PM Monday December 6, 2021 at Young Peoples Community Center (YPCC) in Ebensburg and A “Celebration of Life”  to follow at 3:30 PM to5:00 PM.  All are welcome to attend and encouraged to share a picture and/or memory of Gene.

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