Early years in Meaderville, MT
Meaderville, MT, was a very close-knit Italian mining community at the base of the Butte mine, and it was here that Gene grew up. His father came to Meaderville direct from Italy. His mother was born in Butte, but her mother was a "mail-order bride" from Italy.
True to his heritage, Gene grew up speaking Italian, and the family grew their own vegetables, raised chickens and pigs, and made sausage, pasta, and, of course, wine - all from scratch. Their home had electricity, but no tv, was heated with wood, and Gene didn't speak on a telephone until he was a senior in high school.
During his high school years he also worked underground in the mine as well as helping to lay railroad ties by hand between Butte and Anaconda.
After he graduated, Gene went to art school in Seattle, and worked there as a graphic artist for advertising agencies who had recognized his talent. In 1976 he was fortunate to return with his wife, Patty, and their children to his beloved Montana. He worked for Sage Advertising in Helena, and then in 1980 became the lead artist for the State of Montana, where he worked until retirement in 2004.
Geno's family
Geno has two great children, Mike and Gina. Mike, an artist in his own right, lives in Billings, MT, and works as a custom furniture builder, creating commissioned masterpieces for Montana families. His work may be seen at www.pasinidesigns.com.
True to his heritage, Gene grew up speaking Italian, and the family grew their own vegetables, raised chickens and pigs, and made sausage, pasta, and, of course, wine - all from scratch. Their home had electricity, but no tv, was heated with wood, and Gene didn't speak on a telephone until he was a senior in high school.
During his high school years he also worked underground in the mine as well as helping to lay railroad ties by hand between Butte and Anaconda.
After he graduated, Gene went to art school in Seattle, and worked there as a graphic artist for advertising agencies who had recognized his talent. In 1976 he was fortunate to return with his wife, Patty, and their children to his beloved Montana. He worked for Sage Advertising in Helena, and then in 1980 became the lead artist for the State of Montana, where he worked until retirement in 2004.
Geno's family
Geno has two great children, Mike and Gina. Mike, an artist in his own right, lives in Billings, MT, and works as a custom furniture builder, creating commissioned masterpieces for Montana families. His work may be seen at www.pasinidesigns.com.
His daughter, Gina, graduated from Montana Western with a degree in forestry and wildlife management. She has worked as a naturalist at Red Rocks Lakes in southern Montana and currently lives in Bozeman.
Geno's mother, Norma, is still doing well at 100 years old and is at Big Sky Care Center in Butte.
In 2013 Geno married Sue, his best friend of many years and moved to Boulder, MT. Together they enjoy hiking, canoeing, cross-country skiing and wildlife photography.