WWII vet Eugene Charles Brent dies at 91

Eugene Charles Brent made it his mission to enjoy life by traveling and spending time with his family.

Brent, a longtime Syosset resident, died of pneumonia last Sunday. He was 91.

"He led a colorful life," said his son, Alan Brent, 62, of Bethpage. "He was a proud man."

Born in the Bronx on Dec. 21, 1919, Eugene Brent graduated from St. John's University.

He served as a Navy commander and pilot during World War II.

Returning to the United States during the war from Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, his plane entered the mysterious "Bermuda Triangle," according to his son.

The plane quickly lost altitude and everything around him looked white, but after some tense moments he managed to regain control.

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"Not many people get caught in the Bermuda Triangle and survive to tell about it," said Alan Brent. "He got lucky. We got lucky."

After the war, Eugene Brent settled in Syosset, where he lived for 45 years.

He worked for a finance company until his retirement in the 1970s, his son said.

For the last decade, Brent lived in a condo in Medford, near a golf course.

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"It was like heaven to him to be by the golf course," his son said. "That was his favorite sport."

Eugene Brent loved to travel around the United States and go on Caribbean cruises. He frequently took trips to Fire Island and Disney World with his family.

He wintered in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., where he enjoyed fishing.

But he always returned to Long Island for Easter to celebrate the holiday with his family.

"He really enjoyed doing those things with us," Alan Brent said.

A military ceremony will take place 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday at Sinnickson's Moriches Funeral Home in Center Moriches.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at St. John's Evangelistic R.C. Church in Center Moriches.

In addition to his son Alan, he is survived by two daughters, Laurene Tesoriero, 59, of Syosset, and Eugenia Jackolski, 56, of Shirley; and seven grandchildren.

Eugene Brent's wife died in 2007.