03/22/2026
Sad News: The passing of Eugene “Gene” L. DiOrio, Coatesville native, a founding member of the Graystone Society / NISHM, our historian emeritus, and friend.
It is with great sadness that I need to announce that, Eugene “Gene” L. DiOrio, passed away peacefully this morning after a short illness. He died at his home in Coatesville, surrounded by his beloved books and his longtime caretakers and close friends. Gene seemed ageless and was always a vital force. A short summary of his accomplishments doesn’t begin to describe his devotion to his native Coatesville and his longtime employer, the Lukens Steel Co. He was NISHM’s historian emeritus, a gifted photographer, and the author of several remarkable books including an illustrated history of Lukens published in 2010, Lukens 200th anniversary.
Gene co-founded the Graystone Society, along with Charles L. Huston lll and Mary Sullivan in 1984. The museum was confined to one room in the Graystone Mansion before evolving into Terracina and the NISHM later. Gene facilitated the acquisition and renovation of Graystone and Terracina and helped place each building individually on the National Register of Historic Places. Gene was a main driver in securing the overall national recognition known as the Lukens National Historic Landmark, a very selective honor.
We worked closely together bringing home the steel tridents that were once part of the Twin Towers of the former World Trade Center. He was instrumental in bringing back to Coatesville those tridents that had been left standing after the 2001 terrorists ‘attacks.
Eugene also had a great fondness for the classics, including orchestra, where he met Stewart Huston. He had a passion for opera, as well as ocean liner travel, and railroads. He helped Stewart Huston with the Primitive Hall Foundation and thus helped the Huston family preserve their historic homes. Gene was also a proud member of the Capital Preservation Association in Harrisburg.
Each accomplishment highlighted Gene’s talents for writing and historic research as well as his deep knowledge of not only Lukens’ history but the legacy of the iron and steel industry. Thank you Gene for your leadership as a historian, educator, and mentor. You will be missed.
Scott G. Huston
President
The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum
