IN MEMORIAM

Eugene A. Bettiol Sr., 85;

Entrepreneur, Benefactor

ONEONTA – Eugene A. Bettiol Sr., 85, prime mover in the development of Southside Oneonta and a community benefactor for decades, passed away suddenly on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, at Albany Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.

He was born Aug. 24, 1932, in Oneonta, to Anthony and Fannie Bettiol.  He married Elizabeth Ann Bump on June 27, 1953, in Otego.

He was raised in Morris, where he helped his family operate their farm.  After graduating from Morris Central School, he attended Hartwick College for one semester before needing to return home to resume farm operations.

Eugene then spent his career as an entrepreneur and dedicated himself to making the Oneonta area a thriving community.

Early on, he held a variety of jobs, including machinist at Bendix and owner/operator of Mr. Softy ice cream trucks.  He also worked for Mirabito Fuel Co., which then led him to become self-employed and establish Bettiol Fuel Co.   Along with his late son Eugene Jr., he built and operated the first of what would become 26 Red Barrel convenience store throughout the Central New York.

He played a vital role to the Oneonta community by developing areas that would later become the Walmart Superstore, Hannaford Plaza, Southside Mall, Home Depot and the FoxCare Center.  In addition, he was an original partner for the BK Coffee Co. in Oneonta.

Eugene was instrumental in the team that brought the Foothills Performing Arts Center to Oneonta.  Because of his dedication to this vision, the theater was named in his honor.

Eugene not only believed in his community, he believed in family.  He was predeceased by his son and business partner, Eugene A. Bettiol Jr. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Elizabeth Bump Bettiol; daughters Janet Laytham of Raleigh, N.C., and Jaci Bettiol of Oneonta; daughter-in-law Patricia Bettiol of Delray Beach, Fla.; grandchildren Ryan Laytham, Amanda (Matt) LoPiccolo, Scott Laytham, Carleigh Bettiol, Brooke Bettiol, Eric Michelitsch and great-grandchildren Owen and Eli LoPiccolo; brothers Walter Bettiol (Violet) and Arthur Bettiol (Annaliese), several nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

There will be a memorial service at 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at Foothills Performing Arts Center in Oneonta.  Attendees are asked to arrive at 1 p.m. and will be seated in the theater.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Foothills Performing Arts Center, 24 Market St., Oneonta, NY 13820.

Funeral arrangements are being made by the Johnston Funeral Home of Morris, NY.