Eugene P. "Gene" Apruzzese of Melrose, died at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Medford on February 5, 2008 at the age of 74. Gene was born & raised in Somerville and a graduate of Somerville Trade School. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War and worked in the Facilities Maintenance Dept. for the City of Somerville for over 20 years before his retirement in the late 1990's. Gene was a longtime Somerville resident and lived the past 10 years in Melrose. He enjoyed cooking, spending time with good friends, family and loved being a grandfather to grandson Michael. Gene was the former husband & close friend of the late Margaret M. (Griffins) Apruzzese. Loving father of Donna M. Bagarella & her husband Thomas of Swampscott and Paul E. Apruzzese & his partner Robbin Mahoney of Medford. Cherished grandfather "Pa" of Michael Bagarella. Caring brother of Elizabeth Sciortino & her late husband Louis of CA. Also survived by several nieces, nephews & cousins. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Mon. Feb. 11th at 10:30AM. Funeral Mass in St. Mary's Church Herbert St., Melrose at 11AM. Relatives & friends invited. Visiting hours prior to the Mass from 8:30-10:30AM. Burial in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Red Cross 786 Main St., Melrose, MA 02176.