Mr. Eugene J. Caires, 69, of Bethlehem, died Friday, March 19, 2010 at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He was the husband of the late Judith (Monte) Caires.

Mr. Caires was born December 23, 1940 New York, NY, son of the late Eugene A. and Mary Frances (Dowley) Caires. He has resided in Bethlehem since 1970 and served two terms as First Selectman from 1974-1978. Mr. Caires was chairman for the Oxen Pull at the Bethlehem Fair. Mr. Caires was a devout Catholic, and his favorite saint was Saint Anthony. He loved fishing and the outdoors and was a very dedicated father and was a communicant of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

He leaves two sons, Jerry Caires of San Simon, AZ and Patrick Caires of Bethlehem, four daughters, Cathy McCahill of Harwinton, CT, Betsey Caires of Hamden, CT, Aimee Way of Durango, CO and Mary Caires of Bethlehem, a sister Pam Perry of Old Saybrook, CT, seven grandchildren, his former wife Joann Caires of Bethlehem and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut, online at http://www.rmh-ct.org/, who graciously housed Mr. Caires during treatments, or to the American Red Cross, Valley Chapter, 2A Francis St., Derby, CT 06418.

Cemetery: Bethlehem Cemetery

Location: Munson-Lovetere Woodbury

Services: A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 24th at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Nativity, 48 East St. Bethlehem. Burial will follow in Bethlehem Cemetery.

Visitation: Calling hours will be held on Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at the Woodbury Funeral Home of Munson-Lovetere, 2 School St.