Gene W. Little, 68, passed away on Monday, August 9, 2021 at Ohio's Cleveland Clinic. He overcame many obstacles over the past year but heart disease was too tough. Gene was born on Belleville IL to Ralph W Little and Patricia Macklin. The family resided in several Northern New York towns:  Gouverneur, Malone, Potsdam and Watertown. He graduated from Watertown High School in 1971, from Jefferson Community College in 1973, SUNY Potsdam in 1975 and New York Institute of Technology in 1985 with his MBA.

He was employed through the years by New York Air Brake, Rollway Bearing, Lipe Automation, and finally with Emerson Power Transmission, retiring as a Director of Supply Chain and Business Process Optimization in 2013.

Gene joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary in 2008. As a member of Flotillas 2-2, 2-1 and 1-5, he was a tireless proponent of boating and water safety over the years; joining the US Power Squadron, NY Sea Grant, Finger Lakes Prism, Boating Industry Association and other groups devoted to the promotion and protection of New York's freshwater resources. He even occasionally showed up in "Discover Better Boating" (televised public service announcements) developed by his close friend and long-term ally, David White.  That alliance was the spark that led to the creation of AUXPAD, a national Auxiliary program targeting safety awareness and training for kayakers, canoeists and other paddlers in.  His other passion was working with the Boy Scouts of America. Within that organization he trained adult leaders, mentored Eagle Scout candidates, and helped initiate another program known as AUXSCOUT, now a national program designed to connect CG Auxiliary flotillas to local Sea Scout ships.

Gene's lifelong goal was to make a difference in the world, whether it was reading with kindergarteners, demonstrating canoe safety at Empire Farm Days or making lunches for Meals on Wheels in the midst of the Pandemic. He made many friends through the years, but best of all he found his passion(s) and they became his purpose.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Margaret (Dillon) Little, two daughters, Maureen Cook of Syracuse and Katherine (Jeffery) Ozminkowski of Fairport, five grandchildren; Megan, Erin, Shannon, Molly and Jack, as well as his mother Patricia Macklin of Watertown and sister Rene (Douglas) Warneck of Chaumont Bay. His father Ralph and sister Carolyn predeceased him.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, September 3, 2021 from 12:00 to 2:00 pm at the Maurer Funeral Home Moyers Corners, 3541 State Rt 31 Baldwinsville with funeral services to follow at 2:00 pm.

Donations in his memory are welcomed at Baldwinsville Meals on Wheels, Baldwinsville Food Pantry, the H. Lee White Maritime Museum in Oswego or your local animal shelter.

Please sign the funeral home on-line guest book for Gene to express your condolences to his family.