Gene “Poppy” Farkas

OIB friend Gene Farkas, the father of ex-city Tax Assessor Elaine Carvalho, passed away on Tuesday. In 2014, OIB saluted his decency and sense of humor. The video and words are attached, followed by his obituary.

They don’t make them like Gene Farkas anymore, still going strong as he turns 88 next month. When I was a young scribe the toolmaker serenaded me with stories and observations about old-time politics. Nothing like a cocktail and a story in a city saloon. That’s what they called them back then. Saloons. He was one of my barometers for all things Bridgeport. In the video above Gene, a nice Hungarian boy, shares his cookie recipe. The nine minute mark is priceless as Gene explains “the secret of it all.” He slaps his dough and cries on behalf of the gluten. Gene has witnessed a lot of political slapping in his days in the city. Check out his cookies and his crooning. He urges you to lift his recipe and charge your friends 25 cents a cookie.

Obit

Eugene H. Farkas (Poppy) age 89, a lifelong true Bridgeporter, joined his beloved wife of 63 years, Theresa, in heaven, on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 with his loving family by his side. Gene was a toolmaker for Bridgeport Metal Goods with 44 years’ service. He began a second career as “the singing doorman” at Fayerweather Towers, over the last 18 years, just retiring this past January, where he made many friends. He will be especially missed by the resident dogs, looking for their daily treats. He was a WWII veteran, entering the U.S. Navy at age 17, joining his three brothers in the war. The Farkas brothers are honored in Bridgeport’s WWII Memorial. With a song always in his heart, he brought great pleasure to many, through his beautiful singing voice. He also enjoyed his daily walks through Seaside Park. Survivors include his devoted daughter, Elaine (Farkas) Carvalho of Bridgeport, son, Kevin Farkas and wife Judy of Derby, his grandchildren, Theresa Oleyar and her husband Robert of Monroe, Elizabeth Faler and her husband Justin of California, Nicholay Carvalho and his fiancée Jennifer of Milford, Tina Fearnley of Derby, and Tony Frouge of New York, his great-grandchildren, Kaleigh, Alyson, Andrew, Grace, and Lucy Oleyar, and Jake, Sean, and Alexa Fearnley, his brothers, Stephen and John, and brother-in-law, Joseph Seiger, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Julia (Tury) Farkas, his siblings, Joseph, Regina, Julia, Helen, and Irene, and son-in-law, Mario Carvalho.

Friends are invited to attend the funeral on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at 11:30 A.M. DIRECTLY at St. Augustine’s Cathedral, 359 Washington Ave., Bridgeport, with a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment, with full military honor will follow, at St. John’s Cemetery, Stratford. There will be no calling hours. Arrangements entrusted to the Parente-Lauro Funeral Home, 559 Washington Ave., Bridgeport.