Eugene "Gene" Ciardilli was born in the Bronx, NY in 1916. He served in the Army in the Pacific Theater. He brought home, postwar, some Japanese works. After the war, Gene returned to the Bronx and married Eileen McAdams and became interested in politics. He arranged for his wife to meet Dwight Eisenhower will he was running for re-election.  Gene worked for the NYC police department and was decorated for bravery. He was involved in chasing down suspects wanted in a shooting. Gene retired  to Baynton Beach, FL.