Eugene Edward (Gene) Lacritz (16 November 1929 in Salem, Massachusetts – 18 May 2012 in San Antonio) was an American conductor, clarinetist, saxophonist, and a 31-year professional in management roles at four former specialty retail institutions, one in Houston and three in San Antonio. Notably, he was a senior executive — initially store manager and ultimately executive vice president — at Frost Bros., a former large apparel retail concern based in San Antonio. Early life and family Eugene Lacritz was born on 16 November 1929 to Louis (1898-1989) and Rose Lacritz (née Abowitz or Abovitz) (1904-1993). Eugene's father was born in Volodymyr, Ukraine and Eugene's mother was born in Poland. Both became U.S. citizens in 1921 and 1910, respectively. Eugene's paternal grandfather, Isaac (Itzhak) Lacritz (1868–1949) was musically and artistically inclined and served in a Russian Army band. Eugene had one sister, Shirley (born 1927). On 3 April 1956, Lacritz married Miriam Suzanne Netter (1931-1975) in San Antonio, Texas. They had three children, Jeffrey Scott, John Alan and Laura Jann. They had 5 grandchildren. On 9 July 1976, he married Shirley Ann Remis (1931-2008) in San Antonio, Texas. Lacritz had three stepchildren, Lee, Larry and Lynn, from his wife's previous marriage. Music career Lacritz became a member of the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra as a clarinetist in 1952 under the music direction of Victor Alessandro, who, in 1951, appointed him as conductor the San Antonio Pops, and in 1953, Chief Conductor of the Pops — a role held by Lacritz until 1958. The Pops was a seasonal auxiliary of the San Antonio Symphony that typically performed 15 times a year. He also had a long association as conductor of the San Antonio Little Theater that began in 1956 and continued through the 1960s. Notable performances as clarinetist & saxophonist June 4, 1951 — Divertimento No. 1 (Trio No. 1, Op. 1), by for clarinet, violin, and trombone, by John Alexander Bavicchi (born 1922) Eugene Lacritz (clarinet), Millard S. Neiger (born 1924) (trombone); JoAnne Dempsey (violin) 17 Nov 1951 — Paul Hindemith, News of the Day (Overture), San Antonio Symphony Orchestra, Victor Alessandro, conductor; Lacritz was a featured alto saxophonist Notable performances as conductor Cosmopolitan Opera Guild of San Antonio May 1955 — Martha San Pedro Playhouse October 1956 — Pagliacci San Pedro Playhouse San Antonio Little Theater May 1958 — Plain and Fancy May 1959 — Damn Yankees July 1965