Eugene Jack Seward

Eugene Jack Seward, died peacefully on February 20, 2025, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Born on December 23, 1932 in San Diego, California, he was the youngest of three children of the late LT CDR Jack Seward and Hildegarde Helen Seward. A navy family, he experienced moves to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Miami, Brooklyn and Manhattan. His father’s last assignment, brought the family to Newport News. Gene entered Warwick High School in 1948, joined the Naval Reserve in his senior year, met his future wife, Dottie and graduated in 1951. He served two years active duty in the Korean War stationed aboard an Active Troop Transport ship followed by employment as a statistical draftsman at NACA in Hampton, Virginia.

Gene married the love of his life, Dorothy (Dottie) Roane on August 18,1956 and entered William and Mary/VPI in a pursuit of a degree in engineering. A move to Blacksburg, Gene graduated with a BS in Civil Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1961. Employed at the Design Division of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, the family moved to Norfolk. In 1965, their family of four, Kevin born in 1959 and Chris in 1962, moved to a house, built to their own design, in rural Suffolk. A new home and access to the Nansemond River awakened in Gene the skills of a craftsman and a passion for sailing. A rewarding tenure, that extended to section leader, project engineer and branch supervisor, Gene retired after twenty-eight years of employment with the Design Division of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. He served as Junior Warden at St. Christophers Episcopal Church in Portsmouth and later, was appointed Junior Warden at Christ and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Norfolk. He was an active participant in its newly formed committee, Caring For Creation and a willing painter of scenery for theatrical productions.

Gene, devoted husband, father and friend readily shared his zest for adventure. With his family, he camped across country and later with friends, camped the length of British Columbia. He and Dottie sailed local waters, chartered in the Virgin Islands and white water canoed in West Virginia.. A game of golf with friends was a good day. As expected, Gene was a loyal supporter of Hokie football and basketball. Before moving to Westminster-Canterbury in 2015 Gene and Dottie could count trips to countries in Europe, Asia and to Egypt. However, Gene would have agreed, the best memories were of family vacations at a cottage, Little House By The Ferry, on Hatteras Island.

He was predeceased by his sister, Virginia Moran and brother Duane Seward. He is survived by his wife of sixty-eight years, sons Kevin Seward (Danette) of Glenwood Springs, Colorado and Christopher Seward (Sonya) of Marco Island, Florida, grandchildren William Seward (Elizabeth), Eric Seward, Samantha McCartt (Andrew), Christopher Avery, and four great grandchildren Quinn, Avery, Lewis and Lucy Mae.

The family extends their deep gratitude to the HOY Second floor B staff for their care and comfort with special recognition to Carrie Burt and Tracy Kessler. A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring. Memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Disease Research (brightfocus.org/stopAD) or, in his name, to Westminster-Canterbury Foundation benefitting

the Hospice Enhancement Fund. Condolences can be made by visiting www.neptunesociety.com.