Eugene D. 'Gene' Canaday, age 74 of Gallipolis, died Friday evening September 12, 2025 at Holzer Medical Center. Born June 20, 1951 in Gallipolis, he was the son of the late George Donovan 'Jack' Canaday and Donna Joann Hoover Canaday. In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded by a son, Anthony Canaday and a nephew, Casey Canaday.

Gene was a graduate of Gallia Academy High School, He went on to serve his country in the United States Army from  1971 – 1973. He was a retired Boilermaker with over 50 years of service. He was a member of VFW Post #4464, The American Legion Post 23, was a life member of over 40 years of Gallipolis Elks Lodge #107. He enjoyed playing golf, watching the Buckeyes and the Bengals and watching his grandsons play sports.

He is survived by his wife, Maria Gergel Canaday, son, Ryan (Wendy) Canaday, grandchildren, Maxwell and Alexander Canaday, brothers, Mike (Kim) Canaday and Jeff (Kim) Canaday all of Gallipolis, sister in-laws, Louise Alcott of New Jersey and Georgina Kaufman of South Carolina, niece, Amy Beth (Arnie) Duke, great niece and nephew, Jack Thomas Duke and Madeline Duke along with several additional nieces and nephews, extended family members and a multitude of friends.

Visitation for Gene will be Wednesday September 17, 2025 from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM at the Waugh-Halley-Wood Funeral Home concluded with the Elk's Memorial Service. A service for family and close friends will follow at 3:00 PM at the Chapel of Hope Mausoleum at Ohio Valley Memorial Gardens with Military Honors presented by the VFW #4464 Honor Guard.

A celebration of Gene's life will be held at a future date at the Gallipolis Elks Lodge.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Gene's memory can be made to the  Gallia Academy Athletic Boosters 2855 Centenary Road Gallipolis, Ohio 45631 in the memo, please put for the football program.

An online guest registry is available at waugh-halley-wood.com