DULUTH, Minn. – Eugene B. "PeeWee" Soffietti, 85, a longtime resident of Bessemer, Mich., died Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, at Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, after a brief illness.

He was born on June 13, 1926, in Bessemer, the son of Joseph and Jennie (Chiambretti) Soffietti. Eugene attended A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer.


He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on March 8, 1944, and was honorably discharged as a Seaman Second Class on May 9, 1946. Eugene received the American Area Ribbon, World War II Victory Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Area Ribbon Six Stars, and Philippine Liberation Ribbon One Star, Point System. He was a member of the Bessemer Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3673.

After his military service, Eugene worked in Muskegon, Mich., and at Sears in Chicago.

He returned home in 1952, and on Aug. 6, 1955, Eugene married Helen A. Vitich at St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Bessemer.

Eugene enjoyed fishing, hunting and making firewood.

He worked in the Geneva, Peterson and White Pine mines, and retired in 1988.


Eugene is survived by his wife, Helen; two sons, John, Bessemer, and Michael (Patty), Iron Belt, Wis.; two grandchildren, Amber (Adam) Soffietti, Ramsay, Mich., and Brian (Ashley) Soffietti, Columbus, Mont.; two great-grandchildren, Gage Barbacovi, Bessemer, and Layla Soffietti, Columbus; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Barbara and Carl Anderson, Bessemer; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Caesar and Joseph.

There will be no visitation or funeral service.

Burial will take place in Hillcrest Cemetery in the spring, where military rites will be accorded.

The Lakeside Memorial Chapel of Wakefield, Mich., is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.