Eugene Dennis Dezanett

Eugene Dennis Dezanett (55), of Millbury, OH, was discovered to have unexpectedly passed away on December 23, 2024.

Eugene was born December 22, 1969, at his grandmother's home in Genoa, OH, at a time when doctors still made home visits. He was the firstborn child of Ronald and Bernadette (Dietrich) Dezanett. Eugene was named after his maternal grandfather, who had died a couple of years prior to his birth, and given his father's middle name. 

Ronald and Bernadette lived on a farm in Oak Harbor, OH, where they raised Eugene and grew their family. In time, Eugene became the eldest brother to eight younger siblings, and his parents provided him with an even split of four brothers and four sisters. All of whom remember him with love for the person he was and decades of assistance he gave. Whether it was a lent hand, tool, or advice on repairing a car, carrying boxes for a move, fixing a broken thing, or providing a place to stay when one had nowhere to go, he was there for them without fail, for all the years of his life.

Eugene attended Oak Harbor High School and Penta Career Center until 1989. While he successfully completed his education, he fell one credit short of earning his diploma. When asked why he did not try to obtain the last credit, he'd say it didn't matter and he hadn't needed a diploma. It was the beginning of his unconventional adult life. He studied small engine repair at Penta and spent a stint working as a small engine repairman before embracing his interest in tinkering with Citizens Band radios.

Over the next two few decades, he made his own successful business of selling and repairing CB radios. He owned and operated Pro Class CB Shop in Perrysburg, OH for the bulk of that time, connecting with countless commercial drivers and CB enthusiasts around the country. He went by the CB handle Radio Trader. Eugene earned a reputation for his good work, honesty and intelligence. He was decidedly a man able to fix things.

In Eugene's spare time, he'd create his own 3D printers and other interesting mechanical contraptions, with multiple ideas for things that ended up in various stages of completion around his home. He had a good grasp of mechanics and electrical circuitry – required capabilities to fix CB radios for a living. 

Eugene joined Facebook CB Radio groups, where his renown for kindness, wisdom, and helpfulness grew. 

“He was always willing to share and help with his knowledge,” said a commenter on Eugene's Facebook page. A place now filled with heartfelt condolences of the people he interacted with in person and online. His page was also home to dozens of repair videos and projects. 

“The man was a genius. Very easy to talk to. Such a loss to the radio community,” said Chuck Bunner. 

“Anybody that knew him knew he had a great, caring & sensitive heart, a creative mind & that he tried hard to make things 'work' in every aspect of his life & endeavors,” said Sean Foley. 

Eugene took an interest in computers and the internet well before YouTube, Google, and Facebook existed. He became an active visitor before the influx of users in online communities from Digg to Reddit. He was drawn to talk radio and fringe topics and was always good for a conversation on what many people would call “conspiracy theories”. Very much an independent thinker, he did not conform to social norms, leaning heavily into learning the legal system outside the usual formal education channels. He was a staunch supporter of civil liberties and engaged in learning about the inherent liberties and legal rights of people in this country. He strongly believed that peaceful people should not be forced to live under any kind of authoritarian rule.

In 1996, Eugene became a father for the first time with the birth of his beloved daughter, Mariah Cast. His second darling daughter Melissa Cast, was born in 2003. The arrival into his life of his daughters shaped him. He was a dedicated father and gave as much of himself to their best interest as possible. Friends and family easily saw how much he loved his children and what he did for their sake.

“He worked until his last breath for his daughters. He loved them so much,” said his sister, Ranajo Dezanett.

Eugene was preceded in death by his grandparents Louis and Anna Dezanett, and Eugene and Veronica Dietrich; his parents Ronald and Bernadette Dezanett, and his sister Juliet Dezanett.

Remaining to cherish Eugene's memory are his children, Mariah and Melissa Cast; his siblings, Jason, Rosalie, Lucas, Vincent, Wesley, Ranajo and Roxanna Dezanett, and Regina Gomez; his siblings-in-law Daniel Hofacker, Margaret Dezanett, and Jose Gomez; and many niblings, cousins and sincere friends. 

A memorial gathering will be held December 29th, 2024 from 2 - 6 p.m. at Freck Funeral Chapel in Oregon, OH. With a time of sharing at 5 p.m. Inurnment of his cremated remains will be at Clay Township Cemetery. 

Memorial donations may be directed to his siblings to be utilized in covering the costs associated with his final arrangements. Any excess funds will be donated to a cause worthy of Eugene's memory.