Harry Eugene McCartney

Harry Eugene McCartney of Pensacola, FL moved to his new address in Heaven on October 31, 2019. He was born to Harry R. McCartney and Mary Janice Craig-McCartney on June 27, 1954, in Wilmington, NC. He was known by family and friends as Harry or Gene. Harry enlisted in the United States Navy in 1972, where he served as a chef aboard the USS Joseph Hewes and USS Josephus Daniels. While aboard these ships he toured many countries overseas including Saudi Arabia, Greece, and Egypt. In 1981 his last assignment brought him to Corry Station in Pensacola, FL. Gene made friends easily wherever he went, and in 1984 he became friends with Irene Burnett, an employee at the local Zayre Department Store on Warrington Rd. He loved playing with Irene’s two grandchildren, zooming them around the store in a shopping cart like a race car, and spoiling them with ice cream from the snack bar. He eventually fell in love with Irene’s daughter, Flora Cruz and they were married on October 5, 1984, becoming Dad to Anthony and Lorissa Cruz (Johnson). In 1984 he was baptized in Jesus’ Name and became a member of First Pentecostal Church under pastors D.L. Welch and Paul Welch, and later Rev. Brian Kinsey. Over the course of 35 years he served as a Sunday School teacher, usher, member of the security team, and on the kitchen crew. He resigned from military service in 1985, but continued his career in cooking at several restaurants around Pensacola, as well as on supply boats out of Louisiana to the Gulf oil rigs. He also worked as a long-haul truck driver at one time, and a security guard at another. Gene had a strong work ethic and at times would work multiple jobs to provide for his family. His most recent employment returned to his love of cooking with the Escambia County School District in the cafeteria at Cordova Park Elementary. Throughout his life Gene enjoyed fishing, bowling, and going to the beach with his family. He was quite the jokester and loved the comic strip Garfield. He was always making people laugh, and showing he cared for others by bringing them food he made, or a trinket he saw at the store that reminded him of a particular person. He was preceded in death by his wife of 29 years, Flora McCartney; parents, Harry and Janice McCartney; and a sister, Betty Jean McCartney. His memory will live on with his children Anthony Cruz and Lorissa (Larry) Johnson; 3 grandchildren Abigail, Jolie, and Jonas Johnson; brother Wayne (Tonya) McCartney; 2 sisters Brenda Colvin and Marie (Loren) Wildt; 7 nieces, and many great-nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Tuesday, November 5, 2019, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM, at First Pentecostal Church 6485 Pensacola Boulevard, Pensacola, with the Funeral Service following at 4:00 PM. Pastor Brian Kinsey will be officiating. Pallbearers will be Larry Johnson, Anthony Cruz, Wayne McCartney, Jonas Johnson, Loren Wildt and Ed Brennan. The family would appreciate donations to be made to any of the local food banks in his honor. FAITH CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME SOUTH, 100 Beverly Parkway, Pensacola, is entrusted with arrangements. You may express condolences online at www.fcfhs.com.

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Harry Eugene McCartney

June 27, 1954 - October 31, 2019