Obituary of Eugene R. Schiavi

Warrensburg: Eugene R. Schiavi, 83, of Orton Drive, died peacefully Tuesday, July 2nd in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida after a brief illness. Gene was born on June 11, 1925 in New York City. He was the son of Angelo and Mary (Musa) Schiavi. He was predeceased by 3 brothers, Arthur Schiavi, Joseph Schiavi, and Robert Schiavi. Gene honorably served his country in the United States Air Force from 1943 through 1946. It all began in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountain Region in May of 1955 in Warrensburg, Gene Schiavi and his wife, Lee, would pursue their dream of being independent business owners. Gene’s father Angelo Schiavi, an Italian immigrant, and Gene’s mother Mary (Musa) Schiavi had instilled in Gene a “hankering for independence.” Angelo supported his wife and five boys as an independent business owner, operating a successful artificial flower manufacturing facility. At a young age, Gene worked part time for his father, began his own private enterprise as a newspaper delivery boy and later started his own dry cleaning delivery service. At age 22, Gene married his lifelong sweetheart, Lee Lieberman. Soon after, opting for a sense of security, Gene began working for Fairchild Republic Aviation in Long Island , NY as a tool shop trouble shooter. After six years, Gene’s ever present “hankering for independence” got the best of him; he was presented with a business idea by two coworkers to manufacture charcoal briquettes. After eight years of limited success in this venture, both partners opted out of the business. Gene and Lee then began to find a niche selling processed sawdust and shavings to various industrial markets, the furrier industry and animal bedding suppliers. In the late Sixties, the demand for consistent controlled bedding for sophisticated laboratory animal science research facilities became apparent. In 1968, Northeastern Products Corp pioneered the concept of using fiber from a virgin log to meet these highly specialized animal bedding needs. The product “Beta Chip” was developed and the company became the premier supplier of bedding for laboratory animals. As time evolved, the need for additional production capacity was recognized and Gene decided to start one manufacturing facility in Michigan in 1982 and another in Kentucky in 1987. The strategic placement of these plants, in conjunction with the Warrensburg location, gave the Company the ability to expand its marketing to include retail pet bedding and litter as well as chips for smoking meat. Gene remained active in the company as it’s Chairman and helped direct it into the 21st century with sales across the US, Canada, Asia, Central America, and Europe . Gene is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Lee Schiavi of Warrensburg; his children: Bruce Schiavi and his wife, Linda of Ballston Spa; Nancy Wood and her husband, Keith of Santa Rosa California; and Paul Schiavi and his wife, Wendy of Queensbury. His grandchildren: Robert Schiavi and his wife Sarah; Drew Schiavi; Kim Fong and her husband, Russ; Tom Wood, Jennifer Schiavi, and Paul Schiavi; and one great grandchild. His brother Ferdinand Schiavi of Falls Church, Virginia also survives him, as do his two sister’s in-law, Loretta Schiavi and Jean Schiavi; one brother-in-law, William Brand in addition to several nieces and nephews. Friends may call on Gene’s family from 2-5 pm Sunday, July 6th at the Alexander-Baker Funeral Home, 3809 Main Street in Warrensburg. A memorial mass will be held on Monday, July 7th at The Paulist’s Fathers Chapel, East Side Lake George NY at 11:30 am. Donations can be made in Gene’s Honor to the CR Wood Cancer Center, 102 Park Street Glens Falls, NY 12801; or to The Christian Foundation for Children and Aging, One Elmwood Avenue , Kansas City, KS 66103, or the charity of ones choice. Please visit www.alexanderfuneralhomes.com for online guest book, condolences and directions.