Death of Eugene F. Toussaint

On the Sabbath evening of Sept. 5, 2020, Brother Eugene Toussaint peacefully went home to be with the Lord. He was a resident at Hallmark Living, Benton Harbor, Michigan, since 2012. Eugene was preceded by his loving wife, Marie, in July 2014.

Brother Toussaint, “the Walking Man,” was a beloved figure in the Berrien Springs and Benton Harbor communities and a faithful Adventist for many years. He loved people and always greeted them with his big, kind smile, a testimony of the goodness of the Lord, and a prayer or word of encouragement.

Eugene Frederick Toussaint was born to Laura and Haywood (Honey Boy) Toussaint in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Valentine’s Day 1935. He followed in his father’s boxing footsteps and became a two-time Golden Gloves champion. He studied elementary education at Michigan State University and served his country in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958, when he began his professional boxing career.

One of Brother Eugene’s favorite hobbies was serving his fellow man. He volunteered in hospitals, the school board, Literacy Council, Samaritan Counseling Center and his church. He believed that helping people brought the greatest joy to his life, “I’ve tried everything to be happy, and nothing works like helping people...There’s more joy in helping people than punching them,” he remarked when asked why he gave up prize fighting.

This gentle, humble servant of the Lord will be greatly missed by family, friends and the communities of Berrien Springs and Benton Harbor.