Johnson State College will host a memorial celebration of former Professor of Humanities, Eugene Sapadin, who taught at JSC for 39 years before retiring in spring of 2011.   The event will begin at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25, in the Ellsworth Room in the Willey Library and Learning Center.

“It will obviously be bittersweet,” said longtime friend and colleague of Sapadin, Assistant Professor of Writing and Literature Tyrone Shaw. “ We’re  expecting a wide cross section of people whose lives were touched by Gene – including family, present and former faculty, staff and administration, and of course, students, some of whom will be traveling far to honor this remarkable and outrageous man.”

According to Shaw, people will have ample opportunity to share their memories of Sapadin.  “Considering who is being honored, I expect a lot of laughter amid the tears,” he said. “We were so lucky to have him.”

Sapadin died on September 19 at Vermont Respite House.  He was 73.