Gene D. Weygandt, 84, of Massillon, OH passed away after a short battle with cancer on October 9, 2018. Gene was the oldest of three boys, born on March 17, 1934 in Detroit, MI to David and Emma (Ickes) Weygandt. Gene is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Ronald C. Weygandt, and his honey, Rita D. Weygandt.
He was a brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great grandfather. Moving from Michigan to Massillon, Gene graduated from Washington High School in 1952 and was a DJ at the local radio station during this time. Gene soon became a lifelong entertainer, leaving his mark throughout Ohio, Florida, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
As the youngest swing foreman at Republic Steel, he became a self-taught piano player – amazingly he was unable to read a note of music but could play anything with merely one listen! His music catalog had over 1,000 songs he knew from memory. Gene began his entertaining career in Canton, Ohio playing at Dick Logan’s and the Topp’s Chalet.
It was at Dick Logan’s he met the love of his life Rita D. Walton. Together they took his talents to the Warren and Youngstown, OH area playing at Cherry’s Top of the Mall, the La Gourmet and the Executive Inn. He then returned to the Massillon area playing at The Bali High and other venues.
The next leg of his life-long tour was to Southwest Florida where he played at Sammy’s Inn Between and the JW Marriott on Marco Island. He then spent a long stretch at the Piccadilly Pub on 5th Avenue in Naples. Following his long run in Southwest Florida, he made his way back North playing in the Hanover, PA and Westminster, MD areas at Cockey’s Tavern and other venues.
Gene and Rita’s great adventure finally ended back home in Massillon where most recently Gene played at many of the nursing homes and assisted care facilities in the Akron/Canton/Massillon area, all of which he will be deeply missed from. When you walked into Gene’s Piano Bar, or saw him play anywhere, you were always guaranteed a great time with music and laughter. Gene may not have remembered your name, but he would never forget your song.
On the last day of his life, his dear friend was visiting and speaking with a therapist from Hospice. The therapist stated, “I understand Gene was a piano player” to which Gene replied loud and clear, “I AM a piano player! ” Gene, known as the finder of the bargain, the storyteller, a member of the train club crew, the connoisseur of dirty jokes, and THE Entertainer will be missed dearly by many.
He lived to entertain, and with his passing, the piano has gone silent, the stage has gone dark, and the curtain on a great life of entertaining has fallen. Sadly, there is a little less music in the world today because the Piano Man has packed up his keyboard having played his final gig. There will be a Celebration of Life on November 18, 2018 at La Pizzeria 3656 Dressler Road NW Canton, OH 44718 in the Crystal Room at 4 p.m. All are welcome.
To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Gene Weygandt, please visit our Tribute Store.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
