In the early morning of June 21, 2023, Eugene “Gene” Steven Yankura, 90, of East Hanover, New Jersey, formerly of Connecticut, passed away peacefully at Morristown Post Acute Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Morristown, New Jersey.

Gene was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, to Joseph and Anna (Fedors) Yankura, along with identical twin George, on Feb. 12, 1933. He studied chemistry at NYU, photographic equipment technology at SUNY Long Island, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical chemistry from Bridgeport University. Gene later earned his Professional Engineer’s License in chemical engineering.

Gene began his professional career at Uniroyal in Naugatuck and later worked at Entoleter in Hamden, where he was awarded a patent related to air pollution control technology. He was a consummate do-it-yourselfer and tinkerer. If he wasn’t busy tweaking the design for the latest air scrubber, he was building a Hi-Fi system or a TV, boat or stone wall.

In addition to his wife Yiming Zheng, Gene is survived by his children: Suzanne Cifelli of North Haven, Joanne Yankura (Gregory Park) of Wilmington, Vermont, E. Steven Yankura of Clinton, David Yankura (Christine) of Cedar Hills, Utah, Tom Yankura (Maria) of Hamden, and Elsa Wang of East Hanover, New Jersey; as well as his grandchildren: Iz, Caroline, and Christopher Yankura; Emily, Michael, Daniel, and David (Katie Schwarz) Yankura; and Dani Cifelli. Gene also leaves behind his twin brother George Yankura (Nancy) of Santa Fe, New Mexico. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Sr. and Anna Yankura, and his older brother Joseph Yankura.

A private memorial service was held in August. The Havens Family North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, North Haven, was entrusted with the arrangements. www.northhavenfuneral.com.